Title:The Length of Xiphoid to Fundus as a Measure of Labor Progress: A
Cross-sectional Study
Volume: 20
Issue: 6
Author(s): Farzaneh Rashidi Fakari, Masoumeh Simbar*, Hamideh Torkian Demneh, Fahimeh Rashidi Fakari, Zahra Kiani and Abbas Ebadi
Affiliation:
- Department
of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Midwifery and Reproductive
Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Keywords:
Childbirth, xiphoid, vaginal examinations, cervical dilation, labor, dystocia.
Abstract:
Background: Vaginal examination is widely recognized as the most common method
for monitoring labor progress. However, researchers are currently exploring alternative methods,
which are potentially less invasive or aggressive, to assess labor progress.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the correlation between the length of the xiphoid to the fundus
and the cervical dilation in the active phase of labor.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 180 pregnant women in Varamin, Iran.
The participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-
made questionnaire that included specific items regarding demographic characteristics,
health status, and a checklist to record the results of examinations and labor progress. The collected
data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and multiple linear regression
with SPSS 22 software. The significance level was considered to be p <0.05.
Results: A total of 174 eligible women participated in the study, with a mean age of 25.90 ± 4.56
years (mean ± SD) and a mean gestational age of 39.71 ± 1.03 weeks. There was a significant negative
correlation between the length of the xiphoid to the fundus and cervical dilatation (p =
0.0001, r = -0.568).
Conclusions: The study revealed a significant negative correlation between the length of the
xiphoid to the fundus and the cervical dilation. Therefore, the xiphoid to fundus measurement can
serve as an alternative and complementary examination in cases that need frequent vaginal examinations.
