The Effect of the Frequency of Vaginal Examination During the Birth Process on Birth Comfort and Maternal-Fetal Outcomes

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to determine the effect of the frequency of vaginal examination (VE) during labor on pregnant women’s birth comfort and maternal-fetal outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with 178 pregnant women who presented to the delivery room of Gaziosmanpaşa University Training, Research, and Application Hospital. A Descriptive Data Form and the Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire (CCQ) were used to collect data. RESULTS: It was determined that the median value of the number of VEs performed on pregnant women was two times in the latent phase, three times in the active phase, two times in the transitional phase, and eight times during the total labor period. The median value of the latent phase CCQ of pregnant women was significantly higher than that of the transitional phase CCQ (p<0.05). It was determined that spontaneous rupture of membranes developed in most pregnant women, maternal and fetal birth complications developed in the remainder, and fetal distress was the most common complication. The number of VEs of pregnant women who developed fetal birth complications with rupture of membranes during the VE was significantly higher (p<0.001). A positive, significant correlation was found between the frequency of VE, duration of delivery, and total hospital stay (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: It was found that the frequency of VE was above the World Health Organization criteria but had a negative effect on mothers’ birth comfort and maternal and fetal outcomes.