Management of Spontaneous Labour at Term in Healthy Women

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this guideline is to provide guidance for the intrapartum management of spontaneous labour, whether normal or abnormal, in term, healthy women, and to provide guidance in the management of first and second stage dystocia to increase the likelihood of a vaginal birth and optimize birth outcomes.

Evidence: Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed and the Cochrane Library in October 2011 using appropriate, controlled vocabulary (e.g., labour pain; labour, obstetric; dystocia) and key words (e.g., obstetric labor, perineal care, dysfunctional labor). When appropriate, results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies. Results were limited to the last 10 years. Searches were updated on a regular basis and incorporated in the guideline up to June 15, 2015.

Values: The quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care (Table 1).

Summary statements: RECOMMENDATIONS.

Keywords: first stage labour; labour dystocia; management of labour; second stage labour; third stage labour.