EFFECT OF SITTING POSITION ON DURATION OF 3RD STAGE; AND BLEEDING VOLUME OF 3rd & 4th STAGES OF LABOR IN AKBARABADI HOSPITAL, TEHRAN, IRAN, 2000-2001.

Mother’s position during labor has been a major of concern for faster, easier and more tolerable birth. In fact, changing of the position during labor can be introduced as a solution for dystocia, prolonged labor and labor arrest. Furthermore, pregnancy outcomes including post partum bleeding is affected by upright delivery position. To investigate the effect of sitting position on the following variables: duration 3rd stage of labor bleeding volume of the 3rd and 4th stages of labor. Design: Controlled-Randomized clinical trial. Sample: One hundred women including 50 subjects in Sitting position group (Case group) and 50 subjects in Lithotomy position group (comparative group).selected by consecutive sampling method. The duration of the 3rd stage of labor was significantly lowered in case versus comparative group (P= 0.015). The volume of blood loss during the 3rd stage of labor was significantly greater in the case group in comparison with the comparative (p= 0.004). However, the volume of blood loss during 4th stage of labor was not significantly different in 2 groups. Although, sitting position was found shorten the 3rd stage of labor in this study, it is suggested that mothers be given the chance to choose their own position of delivery.