A narrative review of maternal physical activity during labour and its effects upon length of first stage.

Research Output

Women in western countries generally lie semi-recumbent during first stage of labour, when perhaps it is more natural to move around. Consequently carers are unaware of what constitutes instinctive behaviours and their outcomes. With this in mind, a structured narrative review of the literature identified what prior research has shown about the impact of maternal movement upon length of first stage; results are ambiguous, with 11 studies reporting no alteration to length and 7 reporting shortening. These studies fail to adequately detail time spent mobilising and what in fact constituted walking, squatting, upright, lying lateral, supine or semi-recumbent, and their direct effects upon progress of first stage. Advancements in knowledge are required to progress understanding about maternal activity during labour and its outcomes.

Type:

Article
Date:

28 February 2013
Publication Status:

Published
Publisher

Elsevier
DOI:

10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.09.001
ISSN:

1744-3881

http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/output/184194 Hollins Martin, C. J., & Martin, C. R. (2013). A narrative review of maternal physical activity during labour and its effects upon length of first stage. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 19, 44-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.09.001

Citation

Hollins Martin, C. J., & Martin, C. R. (2013). A narrative review of maternal physical activity during labour and its effects upon length of first stage. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 19, 44-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.09.001