Background/objective

Labour is a physiological process of uterine activity with alternating periods of rest and contraction. Focus is traditionally placed on the symptoms of contractions during labour. As a result, women frequently approach childbirth with the fear of being overwhelmed by pain and a perceived loss of control. There is almost no information on the time duration and potential benefits of the rest phase. Omitting rest periods from the narrative potentially eliminates the opportunity for women to focus on the rest period and dissociate from pain. Through providing information about the rest/contraction cycle, health professionals have the potential to reframe perceptions and behaviours to optimise birth experiences. The aim of the study was to evaluate the duration of rest periods between contractions experienced by women during active labour. We hypothesised that women in labour experience longer rest periods between contractions than the duration of contractions.

Methods

A prospective observational study was undertaken at a tertiary hospital. Abdominal assessment of the rest/contraction cycle, measuring the time spent both at rest and contraction was commenced during active labour.

Results

Six participants were observed and data from 16 complete rest/contraction cycles were collected. Four participants had a longer median rest phase compared to the median contraction phase.

Conclusion

This is the first study to explore the nature of the rest phase in the rest/contraction cycle during established labour. Findings suggest that during active labour more time is spent in rest periods. Monitoring contractions in a 10-minute period did not accurately identify the time women spend in the rest phase. Gaining deeper insights into the importance of rest and understanding how clinicians can apply this knowledge has potential to provide more accurate information about labour and the childbirth experience.