ABSTRACT

Although it may seem archaic and backward, squatting is a crucial resistance exercise during pregnancy to strengthen the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, which may help the woman give birth more naturally. In this study, squat toilet seats as opposed to western style sitting toilet seat, as used by pregnant women, were used to evaluate obstetric outcomes. Low risk primigravida between 28 and 32 weeks gestation were enrolled in the outpatient department for an observational prospective study. After matching baseline characteristics, the participants were split into two groups. Group I (n = 60) consisted of women who consistently used squatting toilet seats, whereas group II (n = 60) consisted of women who frequently used western-style toilet seats. Following the pregnancy till birth, obstetric and neonatal outcomes were recorded. The group that squatted experienced fewer vaginal discharges (7% vs. 16%), urinary tract infections (13% vs. 23%), constipations (6% vs. 10%), labour induction (37% vs. 62%), shorter second- stage durations (0.50 vs. 1.14 hours), and a higher incidence of normal vaginal deliveries (97 % vs. 88%). The two groups' mean birth weights (2.73 vs. 2.97 kg) and percentage of NICU hospitalisations (7% vs. 17%) were similar. Users of toilet seats that squatted had numerous beneficial obstetric outcomes, mostnotably a higher rate of vaginal deliveries that are normal. In this sense, extensive community-based surveys can disclose the actual consequences of squatting toilet seats on the outcomes of pregnancy and labour. Keywords: Pregnancy, Labor, Squat type toilet, Western type toile
Publication date: 01/11/2025

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2025/November/MS_IJBPAS_2025_9425.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2025/14.11.9425