COMPARISON OF MATERNAL OUTCOME AMONG LOW RISK WOMEN PRESENTING IN LATENT AND ACTIVE PHASE OF LABOUR

ABSTRACT
Background: Labour may be divided into two phases, namely the latent phase and the active phase. Different patients
present to the clinician in different phases of labour and their outcomes vary. It has been observed that there is an association
between latent phase and rate of assisted versus spontaneous deliveries, that is, instrumental or caesarean
section, and poor outcome generally, that is, conditions such as Post partum hemorrhage and infections.
Objective: To compare maternal outcome among low risk women presenting in latent phase and active phase of labour
Place & Duration Of Study: Study was conducted in North West General Hospital & Research center Peshawar from
Feb 2015 to October 25th 2015.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional comparative study conducted in gynecology department of North West
General Hospital & Research center Peshawar from Feb 2015 to October 25th 2015. Involving 200 low risk women by
Purposive sampling (Non probability sampling) presenting in their latent phase (100 women) and active phase (100
women) of labor.
Results: Majority of women in both active and latent phases of labor were in the age group between 20-30 years (52.3
and 55.5%) respectively, living in urban (72.2% and 77%) and with only Secondary school education (55% and 64%).
Most Primigravida women presented in the latent phase of labor (48,5%) as opposed to multigravida women who
presented in latent phase (55%).
Conclusions: Low risk pregnant women admitted to labor room in latent phase are more subjected to obstetric interventions
that include artificial rupture of membrane, instrumental deliveries, and caesarian sections compared to those
admitted in active phase of labor leading to significantly decreased rate of spontaneous vaginal delivery. But in terms
of maternal complications such as postpartum hemorrhage and genital tears, these were observed significantly more
in women presenting in active phase of labor than latent phase of labor.
Key Words: Complication rates, low risk women, latent phase, Active phase, labour