Effect of Maternal Mobility in the First Stage on Labor Progress and Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes among Primigravida Women

Introduction: Maternal mobility, including ambulation and upright postures, has been shown to influence labor progress and childbirth outcomes among primigravida mothers.However, its structured application in routine intrapartum care remains limited in many settings.Objective: To determine the effect of maternal mobility in the first stage on labor progress and maternal and neonatal outcomes among primigravida women.Methods: A quantitative, post-test-only control group study was conducted on 240 primigravida women without antenatal complications.During the active stage of labor (cervical dilation: 5-6 cm), six cycles of structured mobility, including walking, standing, squatting, cat position, and sitting for 20 minutes each, followed by 10 minutes of rest in the left lateral position, were administered to the experimental group; however, the control group received routine intrapartum care.Labor progress, maternal outcomes, and neonatal outcomes were assessed within 24 hours using standardized and validated tools, such as partograph, obstetrical parameters assessment sheet and APGAR score.Results: The mean duration of cervical dilatation from 5 cm to full dilation in the experimental group was 3.27 hours, which is shorter than the approximately 4 hours reported for primigravida mothers in existing literature.The proportion of normal vaginal deliveries was higher in the experimental group (88.3%) compared with the control group (72.5%).Women who practiced mobility experienced significantly lower rates of prolonged labor (5.8%) and operative or assisted deliveries (11.7%) than 14.1 and 27.5% among controls, with p-values of 0.03 and 0.002, respectively.Maternal satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the experimental group (19.2 ± 0.6) than in the control group (15.2 ± 1.9).Neonatal outcomes were also more favorable in the experimental group, with fewer newborns requiring resuscitation (11.7%) as compared to the control (27.5%), and all infants exhibiting normal APGAR scores at birth.Conclusion: Structured maternal mobility during the first stage of labor is a safe and effective intervention that improves labor progress, enhances maternal satisfaction, and contributes to better maternal and neonatal outcomes.