The relationship between Cormic Index and labor progress

Labor progress assessment is one of the key factors of maternal care during labor. Anthropometry is one of the branches of anthropology which includes the measurement of different parts of human body. Many studies have assessed the relationship between anthropometric indices and labor disorders. One of these common indices is Cormic Index which defines as: "(sitting height/standing height) × 100". This study was performed with aim to determine the relationship between Cormic Index and labor progress. This correlation study was performed on 151 nulliparous G2 pregnant women referred to Mashhad Omolbanin hospital during 2014-2015. Standing and sitting heights were measured at cervical dilatation of 3-5 cm. Then, vaginal examinations were done hourly to assess cervical dilatation and fetal head descent up to delivery time. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16), and Independent t-test, Spearman correlation coefficient test, repeated measures analysis, and Chi-square test. P The mean Cormic Index was 51.84±2.62 and mean duration of the active phase of labor first stage was 268.83±192.62 min and mean duration of labor second stage was 35.54±34.88 min. There was no significant difference between Cormic Index in two groups of normal and abnormal labor progress in the active phase of labor first stage (P = 0.65). However, there was a positive correlation between Cormic Index and the duration of labor second stage (rs=0.19, P= 0.02). Moreover, the relationship between Cormic Index and fetal head status untill sixth hour was statistically significant (P<0.05). There is no relationship between Cormic Index and labor progress in the active phase of labor first stage. However, there is a relationship between Cormic Index and duration of labor second stage and fetal head descent, so that whatever the trunk is taller (the higher Cormic Index), labor second stage will be longer. Therefore, the labor progress in the latent phase or at the beginning of active phase of labor can be assessed based on Cormic Index.