gms | German Medical Science

Introduction: The latent phase of first stage of labour is accompanied by uncertainty. Women need professional assessment and encouragement [1]. In Germany, there are currently very few concepts that fulfill the needs of woman in this first sensitive period of birth. The finding of this work are intended to improve the midwives extra- clinical work and clinical work period in the latent phase.

Aim/Research Questions: Which factors have a positive effect on the physiology of the latent phase?

Methodology: This is a topic-based literature work.

Results: During the latent phase, the woman’s self-effeciency improves if she is met by midwives she already got to know during her pregnancy. Woman require realistic information and counseling during their pregnancy regarding the course of the latent phase and possible pain management strategies [1], [2], [3]. This increases their self-efficiency and can reduce anxiety [1]. Professional evaluation and council during the latent phase, either by telephone or by a personal assessment, reveal the needs of women [1], [4]. During the latent phase, some women prefer to stay at home as this gives them more freedom and all surroundings are familiar [1], [4], [5]. Other woman prefer the hospital – this requires a large number of cozy and comfortable rooms near the delivery romm that have acces to midwifery care [3]. Midwives can provide safety for the woman by way of reassuring as well as confirming and calming remarks [4]. An ordinary intake of food and fluid during the latent phase has a positive effect on the further course of labour. The pursuit of the individual need for rest or sleep maintains the woman`s strenght during the latent phase [5]. Self-selected companions can provide emotional support and help the woman to handle the pain [1], [3], [4]. Breathing techniques, relaxation baths, massages, motion and distracting activities all have a pain relieving effect in the latent phase [1], [5].

Relevance: It is most necessary to expand and adapt the concepts for midwifery care to the needs of women during the latent phase.

Conclusions: The need-based design of the latent phase is important due to ist relevance for the further progression and experience of birth [4].

The individuality of the latent phase of every woman should be acknowledged by the patient reservation of all accompanying persons [3]. To support the physiological delivery, it is most relevant to develop appropriate clinical and non-clinical concepts

for the supervision by midwives during the latent phase and to provide full access to them.

Ethics and conflicts of interest: No vote on ethics was obtained. The research was financed by own resources. There are no conflicts of interest.

The PDF file of the poster submitted for the meeting is available in German as Attachment 1 [Attach. 1].