This Indian study compared women who arrived at the hospital during active labor (when the cervix is 5 cm or more) with those who arrived later in the second stage. It found that early admission in active labor led to fewer interventions like oxytocin augmentation and lower cesarean rates, but the differences weren’t statistically significant and there was no impact on baby health. The research mainly informs hospital labor management, not personal oxytocin use for health optimization.

The timing of hospital admission in labour influences the course and outcomes of delivery. Early admission during the latent phase is often associated with increased interventions and caesarean section rates, while admission in the active phase is linked to shorter labours and improved outcomes.  Objective: This study aims to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes between women admitted in the active phase (≥5 cm) and those admitted later in the second stage of labour. This observational study included 172 women ≥37 weeks admitted in spontaneous labour at a tertiary care hospital in southern India. Data from case records were extracted on maternal demographics, stage of labour at admission, intrapartum interventions (artificial rupture of membranes, oxytocin augmentation), mode of delivery, maternal complications, and neonatal outcomes. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square/t-test were used, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Of 172 women, 93 (54.1%) were admitted in active labour and 79 (45.9%) in the second stage. Vaginal delivery occurred in 80.8%, and cesarean section in 13.3%. Caesarean section in active labour was most often for cephalopelvic disproportion (47.3%), whereas in the second stage it was predominantly for deep transverse arrest (75%). Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission was required in 6.3% of neonates. Women admitted in active labour had lower augmentation rates, fewer interventions, and shorter labours when compared to women in second labour, but it was not significant (p > 0.05). Admission after confirmed onset of active labour (≥5 cm) is associated with reduced intrapartum interventions and lower operative delivery rates. Adopting this threshold in low-risk term pregnancies may optimise maternal and perinatal outcomes and reduce unnecessary interventions.