• L Lauzon and E Hodnett.
• 30 Blue Forest Lane, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B4B 1L1. llauzon@ns.sympatico.ca
• Cochrane Db Syst Rev. 2000 Jan 1; 2001 (2): CD000936CD000936.

BackgroundApplication of specific criteria for diagnosis of active labour as part of a labour assessment program aims to differentiate more accurately between latent and active phases of labour.ObjectivesThe objective of this review was to assess the effects of the use of specific criteria by caregivers in diagnosing active labour in term pregnancy.Search StrategyWe searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Date of last search: January 1998.Selection CriteriaRandomised trials comparing caregivers' application of strict diagnostic criteria for active labour with routine care.Data Collection And AnalysisTrial quality was assessed.Main ResultsOne study of 209 women was included. The trial was of excellent quality. Women who experienced early labour assessment were less likely to receive intrapartum oxytocics than women who received standard care (odds ratio 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.25 to 0.80) and analgesia (odds ratio 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.78). They reported higher levels of control during labour and birth (weighted mean difference 16.00, 95% confidence interval 7.52 to 24.48). There were no differences detected for rate of caesarean section and other important measures of maternal and neonatal outcome.Reviewer's ConclusionsEarly labour assessment (which includes use of specific criteria for diagnosis of active labour) may have some positive outcomes for women at term pregnancy.

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