Effects of obstetric gel on the process and duration of labour in pregnant women: Randomised controlled trial

The present study investigated maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women who used obstetric lubricant gels during active labour. This prospective randomised controlled study included 180 pregnant women. Women were randomly assigned to two groups during the first-stage of labour. Pregnant women in the obstetric gel group received standard antepartum care plus vaginal application of obstetric gel. Women in the control group received standard antepartum care without obstetric gel. Mean duration of the second stage of labour was significantly shorter in the obstetric gel group than control group (4534min vs. 58 +/- 31min, respectively; p=.005). Mean APGAR values at 5min were significantly higher in the obstetric gel group (9.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 9.2 +/- 0.7; p=.0014). Among nulliparous women, mean duration of the second stage of labour was significantly shorter in the gel group than control group (53 +/- 52min vs. 83 +/- 45min, respectively; p=.003). Using obstetric gel at the beginning of the first stage decreases the length of the second stage of labour, particularly in nulliparous women, and may be associated with an improved APGAR score at 5min.Impact statementA limited number of studies in the literature have demonstrated that obstetric gels shorten the second stage of labour and are protective for the pelvic floor. The results of this study show that using obstetric gel shortens the second stage of labour in only nulliparous, but not multiparous women. In addition, a significant improvement in the 5min APGAR score was seen in the neonates of women who used obstetric gel. The application of obstetric gels during the labour of nulliparous women may be a useful clinical practice and may have a widespread use in the future.