ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effect of the two methods of delivery,hands-on vs.handspoised,on maternal and neonatal outcomes and health service utility during vaginal delivery.Methods 218 primiparous pregnant women admitted from January to May 2013 were randomly assigned to the control group,who adopted two hands-on or traditional method (108 cases) and the intervention group who chose hand-poised method (110 cases).The delivery outcomes and medical resource utilization were compared between two groups.Results The rate of perineal trauma,postpartum hemorrhage and edema was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with that of the control group.No significant difference in neonatal outcome was observed between the two groups.The second stage duration of the intervention group was longer but the whole hospital duration and costs was significantly lower than those of the control group.Conclusions Our data suggest that a policy of hands-poised care is a safe and effective birthing alternative and could improve delivery outcome and reduce hospitalization days and costs.