Psyche: The 5th 'P' and its Associated Impact on the Second Stage of Labor.

Objective: Patients with depression during labor display dysregulated patterns of oxytocin release and this may impact second stage of labor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between maternal preconception and antenatal depressive disorders on the duration of second stage of labor and perinatal outcomes.

Study design: Secondary analysis of patients enrolled in the Behavioral and Mood in Mothers, Behavior in Infants study who reached the second stage of labor. Participants were assigned to: pre-conception only major depressive disorder (MDD), prenatal major depressive disorder, and non-depressed controls. Primary outcome was prolonged second stage of labor. Secondary outcomes included perinatal morbidities.

Results: 172 patients were included. 24.4% (42/172) participants had preconception-only MDD, 42.4% (73/172) patients had prenatal MDD, and 33.1% (57/172) patients had as non-depressed controls. The adjusted pair-wise analysis between groups showed no significant difference in the duration of second stage. No statistically significant differences were noted between groups for adverse neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion: Maternal depressive disorders did not impact length of second stage of labor or immediate perinatal outcomes.