Factor Contributing To Mothers Presenting In The First Stage Compared To The Second Stage Of Labour At Kakamega County General Hospital

Purpose: Globally, many women and newborn die or develop long-term disabilities due to the complication of labour and delivery. This study aimed to compare factors contributing to mother presenting in the first stage of labour and those that present in the second stage of labour at Kakamega county Referral hospital. Materials and Methods: This was cross-sectional study using quantitative and qualitative. Systematic sampling technique was used to recruit 640 mothers in labour. Data was collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire administered to, half of the participants in the first stage and another half in the second stage of labour. Two focus group discussions were conducted each had eight mothers. Data were coded and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regressions was employed in the analysis. Results: Mothers presenting in the first stage of labour had higher chances of normal labour compared to those presenting in the second stage of labour (df=1, χ2 =46, p<0.0001). Mothers who presented in the first stage (47.8%) had severe abdominal pain, (25.1%) fear of labour not progressing well at home and complication of per vaginal bleeding was 19.4%. Mothers who reported in the second stage (28.1%) had delayed at home because labour progress was too fast, 26.3% was because the husband was not at home. In conclusion, the study found out that severe abdominal pain, fear of labour not progressing well at home and complication of per vaginal bleeding was the reason why mothers in the first group reported early. Delaying at home because labour progressed too fast and absence of husband at home were the main reasons why mothers in the second stage presented to the hospital for delivery late. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Therefore, mothers should be sensitized during an antenatal visit on birth preparedness and importance of presenting to hospital in the first stage of labour for delivery.