Comparison of the Effect of Physiological Birth and Routine Normal Delivery on Some of Maternal and Fetus Outcomes

Birth in the 21st century is characterized by interventions. That interventions increase the risk for mother and baby without improving outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of physiological birth and routine normal delivery on some of maternal and fetus outcomes. This quasi-experimental study was performed on 160 pregnant women. The participants were allocated in two groups of physiological birth (n=80) and routine normal delivery (n=80). Inclusion criteria were as following: Apgar score between one and five; dilatation between three and four cm; maternal age between 18-35 years; gestational age between 37-40 weeks; cephalic presentation and neonatal birth weight of 2500-4000 gr. Physiological birth care included labor begins on its own، freedom of movement throughout labor، continuous labor support، spontaneous pushing، no separation of mother and baby. Routine birth cares include routine interventions in labor or birth. Rate of cesarean، Apgar score and neonatal intensive care unit were evaluated in both groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16. The t-test، chi-square and Mann Whitney were the statistical tests of choice. Rate of cesarean was significantly different between two groups (p 0. 005). First minute Neonatal Apgar score was significantly different (p=0. 011)، but fifth minute Apgar was similar in both groups (p=0. 470). The transmission to neonatal intensive care unit had also significant difference among two groups (p=0. 029). The present study showed that the physiological birth is safe. It seems that the physiological birth decreases the rate of cesarean and transmission to neonatal intensive care unit، also improves the first minute neonatal Apgar scores.