Introduction: Nowadays, unnecessary medical interventions during labor may lead to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This study was carried out to compare fetal and neonatal outcomes in nulliparous women between two physiological and traditional delivery groups.
Methods: This single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 370 nulliparous mothers in Shahid Nooraani hospital of Talesh, Iran, 2011. Randlist software was used for generating a randomization list and samples were classified into four and six blocks. Each participant was given an envelope that the type of intervention was written inside it. Data were collected through checklist, observation of labor process, laboratory results and telephone follow-up. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 13, t-test and chi -square test. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Fetal heart rate pattern in the first and second stages of labor in group of physiologic labor was more in normal range than group of traditional labor, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in term of Apgar score at first minute of birth (p=0.32), but the difference of Apgar score at fifth minute was statistically significant (p<0.001). PH of arterial blood gas (p=0.028), need for resuscitation at birth (p=0.072) and hospitalization rates in infants (p=0.019) were statistically significant between two groups.
Conclusion: Considering the physiological process of labor and lack of need for medical interventions, infant outcomes in pregnant women can reduce with non-pharmacologic relief pain.