الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Labor and delivery management are the most common medical issues that are facing the health care givers. Prevention of complications should have the priority over their management. The choice of labor and birth positions plays a crucial role in the mother’s comfort level and progress of labor. Effective positioning can speed up labor as well as reduce discomfort by aligning the body properly, and reducing unnecessary muscular effort. When the woman assumes an upright ”C-curve” position, using a birth ball throughout the first stage of labor, the gravitational advantage of this position will be obtained. In addition, such position will place greater pressure from the fetal head against the cervix and make the birth of the baby easier.
The facility practices in relation to positions for women in normal labor are still unexplored and undocumented. So, proper choice of interventions, proven to be associated with the highest safety and effectiveness, with avoidance of less safe and less effective ones, will minimize the morbidity, and possibly the mortality, that can be associated with labor and delivery for both the mother and her fetus. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ”C-curve” position during the first stage of labor on its progress.
A quasi experimental research design was utilized. A convenience sample of 80 parturients at the latent phase of the 1st stage of labor with cervical dilatation (0-3cm) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria was recruited for the study. The study was carried out at the labor and delivery unit of El- Shatby Maternity University Hospital in Alexandria. The participants were equally assigned to either the study or the control group; each included 40 respondents.
Three tools were used to collect the necessary data. Tool one: Bio-socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule. Tool two: partograph to assess the progress of labor. Tool three: Cardiotocography (CTG) to record the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions. A pilot study was carried out on 8 women (who were excluded from the main sample) to ascertain the clarity and the applicability of the tools.
For both groups, the researcher assessed each parturient on admission to labor unit for FHR and uterine contractions, using (CTG). An abdominal examination was also performed to assess frequency, interval, duration and intensity of uterine contractions; FHR and descent of fetal head/fifths. In addition, vaginal examination was performed to assess cervical effacement and dilatation as well as condition of membranes. The results of this assessment were plotted on the partograph.
Each woman of the study group was assisted by the researcher to assume sitting position on the edge of the bed; round her back and lean forward in ”C-Curve” position, using the birth ball. She was also encouraged to increase leaning forward with each contraction. On the other hand, the control group followed the hospital routine ”recumbent” position in the physical presence of the researcher.
Collection of data covered a period of 12 months (from the beginning of January till the end of December 2014). Data was collected through an interview schedule and examination, which were conducted individually and in total privacy.The collected data was categorized, coded, computerized, tabulated and analyzed using (SPSS) version 16 program.