Effect of Intravenous Hydration on Labor Length and Delivery Mode: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: Increased hydration has been shown to improve muscle physiology and thus may have a profound effect on uterine muscle efficiency. This study is designed to determine whether an increased intravenous fluid rate affects the length of labor or the cesarean delivery rate. METHODS: Nulliparous women between 16 and 34 years of age with term singleton gestations in cephalic presentation were eligible for the study. Patients who gave informed consent were randomly selected to receive either 125 mL or 250 mL of intravenous fluids per hour while restricted to either ice chips only or nothing by mouth. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were recruited. Cesarean delivery rate was 6 (20%) compared with 6 (18.75%) in the 125-mL and 250-mL groups, respectively (P1). Total labor time was 568 minutes compared with 676 minutes in the 125-mL and 250-mL groups, respectively (P.21). When group members delivering by cesarean were excluded, total labor time was 560 minutes and 626 minutes for the 125-mL and 250-mL groups, respectively (P.51). CONCLUSION: In contrast to prior studies, we were not able to demonstrate any shortening of labor or difference in cesarean delivery rate among women who received a higher rate of intravenous hydration.