THE EFFECT OF RECENT COCAINE USE ON THE PROGRESS OF LABOR

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether peripartum c ocaine use shortens labor. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 1220 gravidas deli vering at an urban county hospital (November 1991 through April 1992) had urine specimens sent for toxicology studies. Cervical dilatation o n admission and time intervals during the course of labor were recorde d. Analysis of covariance and exact tests for multiple contingency tab les were used to compare duration of labor by cocaine use after we adj usted for other factors. RESULTS: Compared with nonusers, women who ha d positive test results for cocaine were older, were of greater parity , and were admitted to the hospital at greater cervical dilatation (4. 63 cm vs 3.96 cm, p < 0.05). The duration of labor from admission to b irth was also shorter (336 vs 565 minutes, p < 0.001). After we contro lled for type of delivery, parity, birth weight, and prenatal care, th ere was no significant difference in labor duration in any stage. CONC LUSIONS: There is no difference in duration of any stage of labor rela ted to cocaine use after patients' obstetric characteristics are contr olled for.