Active management is associated with small reductions in the CS rate, but it is highly prescriptive and interventional. It is possible that some components of the active management package are more effective than others. Further work is required to determine the acceptability of active management to women in labour.
Reducing cesarean delivery rates: an active management labor program in a setting with limited resources.
To determine the effect of an active management of a labor program on the rate of cesarean section and labor outcomes in low-risk nulliparous pregnancies in a setting with limited resources.
                Nine hundred and seventy-five low risk nulliparous pregnant women were randomized to receive either active management of a labor program (n = 325) or conventional management (n = 650). The rate of cesarean section and labor outcomes were compared between the two groups using Chi-square and t-tests.
                The subjects in the active management program had significantly shortened first stage of labor and total duration of labor compared with the conventional group (538.0 +/- 242.9 min vs 589.4 +/- 263.8 min, p < 0.05, 539.3 +/- 261.4 min vs 610.3 +/- 264.4 min, p < 0.001, respectively). There was no statistical difference found in the rate of cesarean section and other labor outcomes.
                The active management program shortened the first stage and duration of labor in low-risk nulliparous pregnant women.