Applying fundal pressure in the second stage of labour and its impact on mother and infant health

ABSTRACT

We examine the prevalence of the practice of applying fundal pressure in the second stage of labour, the technique used, and its impact on mother and infant health. This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in a state hospital in the city of Bursa, Turkey with 350 women giving vaginal birth in gestational weeks 37–42. We found that fundal pressure is commonly applied but that this is done without a specific indication, that it is more associated with the performance of an episiotomy, and at the same time, the use of the technique does not have an adverse impact on maternal satisfaction or the health of the mother and infant.

Conflict of interest

No conflict of interest has been declared by the authors.

Authors' contributions

Study design: SP, ZK; data collection: SP; data analyses: SP, ZK; writing the research report: SP, ZK.

Research funding

Authors did not receive grant from any funding acency for the study.