Diagnosing onset of labor : a systematic review of definitions in the research literature

Hanley, Gillian E.; Munro, Sarah; Greyson, Devon; Gross, Mechthild Maria; Hundley, Vanora; Spiby, Helen; Janssen, Patricia A.

doi:10.21256/zhaw-4277

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4277

Publication type:	Article in scientific journal
Type of review:	Peer review (publication)
Title:	Diagnosing onset of labor : a systematic review of definitions in the research literature
Authors:	Hanley, Gillian E. Munro, Sarah Greyson, Devon Gross, Mechthild Maria Hundley, Vanora Spiby, Helen Janssen, Patricia A.
DOI:	10.21256/zhaw-4277 10.1186/s12884-016-0857-4
Published in:	BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth
Volume(Issue):	16
Issue:	71
Page(s):	1
Pages to:	11
Issue Date:	Apr-2016
Publisher / Ed. Institution:	BioMed Central
ISSN:	1471-2393
Language:	English
Subjects:	Female; Humans; First labor stage; Pregnancy; Labor onset
Subject (DDC):	618.4: Childbirth
Abstract:	Background: The diagnosis of labor onset has been described as one of the most important judgments in maternity care. There is compelling evidence that the duration of both latent and active phase labor are clinically important and require consistent approaches to measurement. In order to measure the duration of labor phases systematically, we need standard definitions of their onset. We reviewed the literature to examine definitions of labor onset and the evidentiary basis provided for these definitions. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched using predefined search terms. We included English, French and German language studies published between January 1978 and March 2014 defining the onset of latent labor and/or active labor in a population of healthy women with term births. Studies focusing exclusively on induced labor were excluded. Results: We included 62 studies. Four ‘types’ of labor onset were defined: latent phase, active phase, first stage and unspecified. Labor onset was most commonly defined through the presence of regular painful contractions (71 % of studies) and/or some measure of cervical dilatation (68 % of studies). However, there was considerable discrepancy about what constituted onset of labor even within ‘type’ of labor onset. The majority of studies did not provide evidentiary support for their choice of definition of labor onset. Conclusions: There is little consensus regarding definitions of labor onset in the research literature. In order to avoid misdiagnosis of the onset of labor and identify departures from normal labor trajectories, a consistent and measurable definition of labor onset for each phase and stage is essential. In choosing standard definitions, the consequences of their use on rates of maternal and fetal morbidity must also be examined.
URI:	https://digitalcollection.zhaw.ch/handle/11475/8091
Fulltext version:	Published version
License (according to publishing contract):	CC BY 4.0: Attribution 4.0 International
Departement:	School of Health Sciences
Organisational Unit:	Institute of Midwifery and Reproductive Health (IHG)
Appears in collections:	Publikationen Gesundheit

Files in This Item:

File	Description	Size	Format
2016_Gross_Diagnosing_onset_of_labor.pdf		913.47 kB	Adobe PDF	View/Open

Show full item record

Hanley, G. E., Munro, S., Greyson, D., Gross, M. M., Hundley, V., Spiby, H., & Janssen, P. A. (2016). Diagnosing onset of labor : a systematic review of definitions in the research literature. BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, 16(71), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4277

Hanley, G.E. et al. (2016) ‘Diagnosing onset of labor : a systematic review of definitions in the research literature’, BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, 16(71), pp. 1–11. Available at: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4277.

G. E. Hanley et al., “Diagnosing onset of labor : a systematic review of definitions in the research literature,” BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, vol. 16, no. 71, pp. 1–11, Apr. 2016, doi: 10.21256/zhaw-4277.

HANLEY, Gillian E., Sarah MUNRO, Devon GREYSON, Mechthild Maria GROSS, Vanora HUNDLEY, Helen SPIBY und Patricia A. JANSSEN, 2016. Diagnosing onset of labor : a systematic review of definitions in the research literature. BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth. April 2016. Bd. 16, Nr. 71, S. 1–11. DOI 10.21256/zhaw-4277

Hanley, Gillian E., Sarah Munro, Devon Greyson, Mechthild Maria Gross, Vanora Hundley, Helen Spiby, and Patricia A. Janssen. 2016. “Diagnosing Onset of Labor : A Systematic Review of Definitions in the Research Literature.” BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth 16 (71): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4277.

Hanley, Gillian E., et al. “Diagnosing Onset of Labor : A Systematic Review of Definitions in the Research Literature.” BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, vol. 16, no. 71, Apr. 2016, pp. 1–11, https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4277.