ABSTRACT
Background: One of the most controversial issues in obstetrical practice is how to provide essential calories and fluids for women in labor, and because most of the parturients, when admitted in labor ward, are N.P.O with seemingly inadequate doses of intravenous fluids, researcher decided to find an inexpensive way compatible with physiological situation of mothers to provide adequate fluids during this time
Purpose: This single-blind clinical trial was conducted to determine the effects of increased intravenous fluid on the course of labor in nulliparous women referring to Shariati Hospital in Bandar Abbas in 2003
Methods: Three doses of intravenous fluids [60, 120 and 240 ml/hr] were infused in labor to compare the Apgar scores of newborns with the kind of delivery in these three groups. In this study, all of the nulliparous women with selected specifications took part. Available sampling method was used to select 35 persons in each group [totally, 105 persons]. Each group randomly received I.V fluids 60, 120, and 240ml/hr. Data were collected by observation and a demographic questionnaire, a checklist of observation, a ruler, and an infant scale
Results: Findings showed that there was no difference between Apgar scores in the three groups. The type of delivery was also similar. By using odds-ratio test, the possibility of Cesarean section in 60 ml-per-hour group was found to be 6 times greater than the two other groups, but this finding was not uiasnot conclusive
Conclusion: Difference between the amounts of infused fluid during labor has no effect on outcome of labor. It seems that the 240 ml-per-hour dose can be used safely for the mother and her baby during delivery