ABSTRACT

Aim: To examine the time duration of first stage of labour with and without amniotomy in primigravidas at term presenting in labour room in our settings.

Study design: Comparative/Observational study.

Place and duration of study: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Lahore from 01-10-2010 to 30-03-2011.

Methods: A total of 104 patients of primigravidas at term presenting in labour room were included in this study. Patient’s ages were ranging from 16 to 35 years. All the patients were divided by lottery method into two groups, group A and group B. Each group comprised 52 patients. In group A, amniotomy at 3cm was done using aseptic measurements with the help of Kocher’s forceps by researcher while in group B, no amniotomy was performed and membranes left. Time duration of 1^st stage of labour in minutes was recorded and compared the results between both groups.

Results: The mean age of 22.7±4.8 years and in group B it was 26.1±4.9 years with age range of 16 to 35 years. The mean duration of pregnancy in group A was38.2±0.8 weeks and in group B was 39.1±1.9 weeks with duration of pregnancy range of37 to 40 weeks. The mean time duration of 1ststage of labour in group A was 289.7±55.3 minutes and in group B was 386.1±66.8 minutes ranging from 200 to 450 minutes.

Conclusion: The mean duration of first stage of labour is less with amniotomy than without amniotomy in patients presenting in labour room. We observed a significant difference regarding time duration of 1^st stage of labour between both groups.

Keywords: Amniotomy, First stage of labour, Shortening of duration of first stage of labour, Primigravidas