Routine Maternal Leg Movements During the Second Stage and the Rate of Operative Deliveries

Cesarean delivery rates have risen in the US in a dramatic fashion from less than 5% in the 1960 to 32.7% by 2013 with stable rate around 32-33% in the last five years , cesarean delivery is associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality, Labor arrest is the most common indication for cesarean delivery, Maternal position during the second stage of labor has been suggested to affect the risk of instrumental vaginal delivery. A Cochrane review of position in the second stage of labor in women without epidural showed a reduction in instrumental vaginal delivery in the upright group, although the quality of the included trials was reported to be generally poor, A Cochrane review of position in the second stage of labour for women with epidural analgesia was published in 2017, This review included trials that compared upright with recumbent positions and suggested no effect.

No prior studies examined whether maternal legs movement during the second stage of labor has any effect on the rate of operative deliveries.