Using uterine fundal pressure on the second stage of labor, the effect of fundal pressure on maternal-fetal health

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usage of uterine fundal pressure on the second stage of labor and to examine the effect of fundal pressure on maternal-fetal health. An analytic, cross-section study was conducted between June 2014 and October 2014 at an educational and training hospital in Bursa. The pregnant women were selected with convenience sampling method. Sample size was 350 women and all participants were between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation with fetal vertex position, without multiple gestations, at least graduated from primary school and could speak Turkish. All women agreed to participate in the study. The study data were collected by the pregnant descriptive information form, labour and delivery observation form and Labor Agentry Scale. To evaluate the statistics; t-test, chi-square, Mann Whitney U test, reability analysis and logistic regression test were used. Of pregnant women, 30,6% were received fundal pressure. Fundal pressure was performed by mostly forearm and fist. The mean of application time was 23,82±19,71 seconds and mean of application score was 4,68±3,54 times. After delivery, 29,91% of women who were received fundal pressure said that "it was painful" and 28,04% of them said that "it was helpful for delivery". A logistic regression analysis on the data demonstrated that duration of second stage of labor and episiotomies were significantly positive associated with uterine fundal pressure. And being primipara was significantly negative associated with uterine fundal pressure. This study is demonstrated that fundal pressure is not affected on the fetal-health but had adverse consequences on maternal-health. According to the literature, this practice should not be used and giving information to health professionals about it is not a routine practice, improving a guide about application of fundal pressure on the second stage of labor by health organizations might contribute to the maternal-fetal health.