Effects of left lateral position compared with lithotomy position in the second stage of labour on nulliparous women perineal trauma

Abstract

Background and purpose : The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of left lateral position compared with lithotomy position in the second stage of labour on nulliparous women perineal trauma.Materials and Methods : In this clinical, randomised trial; 100 primiparous women with singleton fetus and vertex presentation had vaginal delivery at two hospitals of Nishbour, Iran in 2001.Data were obtained from iterviewing and observation in the first and second stage of labor and pelvic muscle strength scale.Data were analized using t-test, χ², ManwithneyU, Fisher test and Loglinear analysis in SPSS 9 software.Results : Incidence of episiotomy was 7.8% in left lateral group and 30.6% in lithotomy group (p=0.004). Ocurrance of laceration was 63.8% in left lateral positon and 79.4% in lithotomy position.Fetal position and pelvic muscle strength factors were significantly associated with episiotomy and maternal bearing down efforts was significantly associated with laceration.Conclusion : Left lateral position in the second stage of labor decreased perineal trauma. This position is a safe method for primiparous delivery and recommended for protecting of perineum.

Keywords

• Maternal birthing position
• Left lateral positon
• Lithotomy
• Perineal laceration
• Episiotomy