Influence of second stage of labor duration on umbilical artery lactate levels in uncomplicated multiparous women

Abstract

Aim: We examined the relationship between second stage of labor duration and umbilical artery lactate levels in uncomplicated multiparous women.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 789 healthy multiparous women with no history of caesarean section and singleton pregnancy, who had a vaginal delivery after 37 weeks' gestation at our institutes between August 2015 and March 2017. As controls, 1,082 uncomplicated nulliparous women who gave birth during the same period were also examined.

Results: The average umbilical artery lactate level increased with increasing second stage of labor duration (p<0.05) in multiparous women. Multiparous women with a second stage of labor duration of 0–60 min had a significantly lower average lactate level compared to nulliparous women (p<0.05), while those with a second stage of labor duration of 121–180 min had a significantly higher average lactate level compared to nulliparous women (p<0.05).

Conclusion: A prolonged second stage of labor duration was associated with increased umbilical artery lactate levels.