The effect of increased intravenous fluid intake on the course and outcome of labor in nulliparous women in Dr. Shariati Hospital, Bandar Abbas-2003

Introduction: Factors that affect the progress of labor have been studied extensively in an effort to improve labor progress. One variable that has been studied minimally, is the effect of adequate maternal hydration. This study aimed to determine the effect of increased intravenous fluid on the course of labor in nulliparous women in Bandar Abbas Dr. Shariati hospital in 2003. Methods: In this clinical trial study, the researcher infused three doses of intravenous fluids (60-120 and 240 cc/hr) in labor to compare the length of three stages of labor, Apgar scores of newborns, and the kind of delivery in three randomly selected groups. The number of the samples was 35 persons in each group (totally 105 persons) and they received randomly I.V fluids 60 or 120 and 240 cc/hr. The ordered fluids in the three groups were ringer solution. Information was gathered by methods of observation and completing the questionnaires. Results: The result of this study indicated that the average of first stage of labor length time in fluid receiver group (240 cc/hr) was 78 minutes less than group of 60 cc/hr. From the view point of statistics, this difference was significant (p=0.009) and first stage length time in receiver group of 240 cc/hr was 53 minutes less than group of 120 cc/hr and this difference was not significant (p>0.05) but the length time of second and third stage of labor among three groups has no significant difference. Furthermore, Apgar scores and type of delivery in three groups were similar. Conclusion: It can be concluded that dose of 240 cc/hr during labor is more desirable and has better effects than current dose in order to reduce the time of first stage of delivery and had better effects than current dose in order to reduce the time of first stage of delivery.