Determining the Impact of Cervical Dilation at Admission on Intrapartum Interventions and Labor Satisfaction in Pregnant Women

Background: Admission to the delivery room with a low level of cervical dilation is associated with an increased likelihood of cesarean birth, additional birth interventions, and a negative impact on the woman's birth experience and satisfaction.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cervical dilation levels at admission to the delivery room on intrapartum interventions and labor satisfaction.

Methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study and involved 285 pregnant women. It was carried out in the delivery rooms of Cengiz Gökçek Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital in Gaziantep, Türkiye, utilizing the “Personal Information Form” and the “Birth Satisfaction Scale” for data collection. T-test, ANOVA test and linear regression test was used for data analysis.

Results: The findings indicate that pregnant women with cervical dilation of 6-10 cm had lower cesarean section rates and reduced use of oxytocin and epidosin. Additionally, episiotomy incisions, vacuum applications, and amniotomy attempts were found to be less frequent in this group. It was discovered that the total mean score on the birth satisfaction scale for multiparous pregnant women was higher than that for primiparous pregnant women (P=0.001), and higher for those who had desired pregnancies compared to women with undesired pregnancies (P=0.037). Satisfaction with delivery was found to be lower among pregnant women with cervical dilation of 0-3 cm (P=0.012), those who received oxytocin induction, and those who underwent an episiotomy (P=0.001). A significant correlation was observed between the level of cervical dilation, parity, desire for pregnancy, and birth interventions with birth satisfaction (R=0.39, R2=0.33, P<0.001). These factors together explain 33% of the total variance in birth satisfaction.

Conclusion: Low levels of cervical dilation at the time of admission to the delivery room are associated with an increase in birth interventions and a decrease in birth satisfaction.