Evidence-based labor management: before labor (Part 1). 2020

Vincenzo Berghella, and Daniele Di Mascio
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: vincenzo.berghella@jefferson.edu.

In preparation for labor and delivery, there is high-quality evidence for providers to recommend perineal massage with oil for 5-10 minutes daily starting at 34 weeks until labor; ≥1 daily sets of repeated voluntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles, performed at least several days of the week starting at approximately 30-32 weeks gestation; no x-ray pelvimetry; sweeping of membranes weekly starting at 37-38 weeks gestation; for women with a risk factor for abnormal outcome plans should be made to deliver in a hospital setting; for low-risk women, alongside birth center birth is associated with maternal benefits and higher satisfaction, compared with hospital birth; midwife-led care for low-risk women; continuous support by a professional such as doula, midwife, or nurse during labor; and training of birth attendants in low- and middle-income countries.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007743 Labor, Obstetric The repetitive uterine contraction during childbirth which is associated with the progressive dilation of the uterine cervix (CERVIX UTERI). Successful labor results in the expulsion of the FETUS and PLACENTA. Obstetric labor can be spontaneous or induced (LABOR, INDUCED). Obstetric Labor
D008880 Midwifery The practice of assisting women in childbirth. Traditional Birth Attendant,Midwife,Midwives,Birth Attendant, Traditional,Birth Attendants, Traditional,Traditional Birth Attendants
D010502 Perineum The body region lying between the genital area and the ANUS on the surface of the trunk, and to the shallow compartment lying deep to this area that is inferior to the PELVIC DIAPHRAGM. The surface area is between the VULVA and the anus in the female, and between the SCROTUM and the anus in the male. Perineums
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D059037 Doulas Trained lay women who provide emotional and/or physical support during obstetric labor and the postpartum period for mothers and their partners. Labor Coach,Labor Coaches,Coach, Labor,Coaches, Labor,Doula
D036801 Parturition The process of giving birth to one or more offspring. Birth,Childbirth,Births,Childbirths,Parturitions

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