A prospective randomised study was conducted to assess whether the frequency of vaginal examinations can influence the duration of labour. One hundred and nine nulliparous patients in spontaneous labour, after 37 completed weeks of gestation, were randomly allocated to receive either 2-hourly or 4-hourly vaginal examinations to assess the progress of labour. There was no difference in the total duration of labour in both groups nor in the total number of vaginal examinations. The results of the study indicate that, as far as the duration of labour is concerned, there is no added value in advocating 2-hourly vaginal examinations to shorten labour.

T o identify and review severe maternal morbidity (SMM) cases to determine opportunities for improvement in obstetric care.