Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes Related To Intrapartum Hydration Strategies in Low-Risk Deliveries: An Observational Study

Abstract

Background Effective myometrial contractility is important for successful labor, although little attention has been paid to the effect of managing intrapartum fluid intake. Ineffective myometrial contractility leads to prolonged labor, thus increasing obstetric and neonatal adverse outcomes. The risk of prolonged labor can be reduced by increasing the total volume of fluids administered during labor. Objective To determine the hydration strategies applied in nulliparous women undergoing low risk labor and their association with obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in a Universitary Hospital. The study population included nulliparous women who presented in active labor or induced labor. Sample size was 147. In order to stratify women based on the hydration received, we set as a cut-off point the mean total volume administered per hour (300 ml/h). This enabled to compare obstetric, clinical, and neonatal outcomes in women who had received ≥ 300 mL/h o < 300 mL/h. The primary outcome was total length of labor. Secondary outcomes included maternal and neonatal outcomes. Results The study population comprised 148 nulliparous women, mean (DS) age 32.2 (4.4) years, mean (DS) gestational age of 39.4 (1.41) weeks. At admission, median (IQR) dilation was 2 (1–3) cm. Labor was induced in 65.5% (n = 97). Obstetric and neonatal outcomes were more favorable in women who received a ≥ 300 mL/h volume, with statistically significant median differences in the duration total duration of labor (526 vs 735 min; p < 0.001). Clinically relevant differences were also observed with respect to cesarean delivery (14.3% vs 18.7%), fever (5.5% vs 7.7%), weight loss at 24 hours (–2.3% vs − 3%) and at 48 hours (–5.7% vs − 6.3 %), incidence of weight loss > 7% at 48 hours (28.6% vs 39.8%), breastfeeding (94.6% vs 82.4%). Conclusions Higher fluid volume administered to nulliparous women during low-risk labor is associated with improved obstetric and neonatal outcomes.