Levator ani muscle coactivation at term is associated with longer second stage of labor in nulliparous women

• DOI: 10.1002/uog.20159
• Publication Date: 2018-10-24T10:27:16Z
• Authors: A. Youssef; E. Montaguti; M. G. Dodaro; R. Kamel; N. Rizzo; G. Pilu
• Keywords: Coactivation; Valsalva maneuver

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the effect of levator ani muscle (LAM) coactivation at term on outcome labor in nulliparous women. Methods This was a prospective study 284 low‐risk women with singleton pregnancy recruited before onset labor. The anteroposterior diameter hiatus measured each woman transperineal ultrasound rest, maximum pelvic floor contraction and Valsalva maneuver after visual feedback. LAM defined as reduction comparison that rest. association hiatal values mode delivery duration assessed. Results No significant difference found between who underwent Cesarean those had vaginal regard to maneuver. Longer second stage associated shorter all assessments, but particular rest both 89 (31.3%) 75 (26.4%) feedback, respectively. Post significantly longer than did without (83 ± 63 vs 42 min; P = 0.006). On Cox regression analysis, post feedback an independent predictor (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.499 (95% CI, 1.076–2.087); 0.017). Conclusion is Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.