the purple line as a measure of labourprogress a longitudinal study紫色的线作为衡量labourprogress纵向研究.pdfVIP

Shepherd et al. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 2010, 10:54 /1471-2393/10/54 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access The purple line as a measure of labour progress: a longitudinal study 1* 2 3 1 1 2 Ashley Shepherd , Helen Cheyne , Susan Kennedy , Colette McIntosh , Maggie Styles , Catherine Niven Abstract Background: Vaginal examination (VE) and assessment of the cervix is currently considered to be the gold standard for assessment of labour progress. It is however inherently imprecise with studies indicating an overall accuracy for determining the diameter of the cervix at between 48-56%. Furthermore, VEs can be unpleasant, intrusive and embarrassing for women, and are associated with the risk of introducing infection. In light of increasing concern world wide about the use of routine interventions in labour it may be time to consider alternative, less intrusive means of assessing progress in labour. The presence of a purple line during labour, seen to rise from the anal margin and extend between the buttocks as labour progresses has been reported. The study described in this paper aimed to assess in what percentage of women in labour a purple line was present, clear and measurable and to determine if any relationship existed between the length of the purple line and cervical dilatation and/or station of the fetal head. Methods: This longitudinal study observed 144 women either in spontaneous labour (n = 112) or for induction of labour (n = 32) from admission through to final VE. Women were examined in the lateral position and midwives recorded the presence or absence of the line throughout labour immediately before each VE. Where present, the length of the line was measured using a disposable tape mea