Use of obstetric gel in nulliparous pregnant women: Maternal and neonatal outcomes

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to investigate the effects of obstetric gel application on the first and second stages of labor in nulliparous pregnant women, the presence of its protective effect on perineum and fetal and maternal outcomes associated with this method. Methods: The nulliparous pregnant women who admitted to our hospital between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation were randomized into two groups, which were those applied gel and those not applied. During their labors, pregnant women were not administered any labor induction or augmentation; they underwent routine amniotomy, but routine episiotomy was not performed during labor. Both groups were compared in terms of perineal laceration, episiotomy need, periods of labor stages, laboratory data, and newborn data. Results: A total of 200 nulliparous pregnant women (Group I: n=102, spontaneous follow-up; Group II: n=98, gel-applied) who were complying with study criteria were evaluated. No difference was found in maternal demographic data, laboratory data and newborn results. In gel-applied patients, the first and second stages of labor were shorter and they were statistically significant. In terms of episiotomy procedure / need, there was no difference between the groups. In terms of cases where laceration did not occur and mild perineal lacerations (1st and 2nd degrees), the results were relatively better in gel-applied pregnant women, and no statistical difference was found in advanced perineal lacerations (3rd and 4th degrees). Conclusion: Use of obstetric gel during labor in nulliparous women provides a significant reduction in labor stages and there are fewer lacerations.