Effect of continuous support during labor on duration of labor and rate of cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of continuous support provided by midwives during labor on the duration of the different stages of labor and the rate of cesarean delivery. METHOD A randomized trial of 100 eligible nulliparous women who had not received education classes on childbirth. In the intervention group (n=50), continuous support during labor was provided; the control group (n=50) did not receive continuous support. RESULTS The two groups did not differ by age, employment, educational level, gestational age, economic status, and neonatal weight. Mean duration of the active phase of labor (167.9+/-76.3 vs 247.7+/-101 min, P<0.001), second stage of labor (34.9+/-25.4 vs 55.3+/-33.7 min, P=0.003), and the number of cesarean deliveries (4 vs 12, P=0.026) were significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. The rates of oxytocin use and Apgar scores of less than 7 at 5 minutes were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION Continuous support provided by midwives during labor may reduce the duration of labor and the number of cesarean deliveries; this model of support should be available to all women.