Increased intravenous fluid intake and the course of labor in nulliparous women

Abstract 

Objective

To compare the effect of 2 regimens of intravenous fluid therapy on the course of labor.

Methods

In a prospective, randomized, double-blind study of 300 nulliparous pregnant women at term conducted at a teaching hospital, 153 women received 125mL and 147 received 250mL of intravenous fluid per hour. The groups were matched and analysis was done using the t, χ², and Fisher exact tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

In the group that received intravenous fluid at a rate of 250mL per hour the mean±S.D. duration of labor was significantly shorter (253±97 vs. 386±110min; P=0.0001), the frequency of labor lasting both more than 10h and more than 15h was statistically lower (4.8% vs. 13.8%; P=0.001 and 0% vs. 4.5%; P=0.02, respectively), and the frequency of oxytocin administration was significantly lower (8.1% vs. 20.4%; P=0.001). There was a trend toward a lower frequency of cesarean deliveries in the 250-mL group (16% vs. 22.8%; P=0.1).

Conclusion

A greater volume per hour of intravenous fluid than is commonly administered to nulliparous women in active labor is associated with significantly shorter duration of labor and lower frequency of both prolonged labor and oxytocin administration.

Keywords: Cesarean delivery, Hydration, Labor