Module 4 Unit A: Labor Progress Flashcards
Understand the relationship between the framework used for care related to labor progress and cesarean birth rates.
Friedmans labor curve may have contributed to an increase in cesearean sections and contemporary research is re-evaluating what is normal and updating recommendations.
Define the stages and phases of labor as defined by Friedman. First stage:
Begins with the onset of regular contractions and ends with complete dilation. Includes: latent and active phases
Define the stages and phases of labor as defined by Friedman. Latent phase:
Beginning with maternal perception of regular contractions
Define the stages and phases of labor as defined by Friedman. Active phase:
The point at which the rate of change of cervical dilation significantly increases
Define the stages and phases of labor as defined by Friedman. Second stage:
Begins with complete dilation and ends with the birth of the baby
Controversy Note: There is now an argument that it should begin with the urge to push
Compare Friedman’s definition of the onset of the active phase vs. current research.
Friedman defined the onset of the active phase as the point at which the rate of dilation change rapidly increased; often, this was considered to be at 3cm despite Friedman stating this was not correct. Now active phase is considered 5-6 cm dilated.
Define prolonged latent phase according to Friedman
> 20 hours in a nulliparous woman, and > 14 hours in a multiparous woman
Note: Protracted=slower than normal, arrested=complete cessation of progress
Define protracted active phase according to Friedman
cervical dilation in the active phase of less than 1.2 cm/h in nullip and less than 1.5 cm/h in multip
Note: Protracted=slower than normal, arrested=complete cessation of progress
Define protracted descent according to Friedman
<1 cm/hr descent in nulliparous and <2 cm/hr descent in multip
Note: Protracted=slower than normal, arrested=complete cessation of progress
Define Secondary arrest of dilation (arrested active phase) according to Friedman
the absence of cervical change for 2+ hours
Note: Protracted=slower than normal, arrested=complete cessation of progress
Define Arrest of descent according to Friedman
no descent in 1 hour
Note: Protracted=slower than normal, arrested=complete cessation of progress
How did Friedman determine time limits for normal and prolonged labor?
Friedman calculate the upper and lower limits of normal with >95% and <5% being abnormal
Upper limit of normal for each stage and phase in total hours, then divided total hours by number of centimeters to calculate upper limit of normal in terms of hourly progress of dilation (first stage) and descent (second stage).
What did Friedman consider a normal length of time for the first stage, latent phase?
Nullparas < 20 hours
Multiparas < 14 hours
note that latent phase is calculated based on total duration, not rate of change per hour
What did Friedman consider a normal length of time for the first stage, active phase?
Nulliparas: At least 1.2 cm/hr dilation
Multiparas: At least 1.5 cm/hr dilation
What did Friedman consider a normal length of time for the second stage?
Nulliparas: 1 cm/hr descent
Multiparas: 2 cm/hr descent
How does contemporary research compare to what Freidman suggested?
Contemporary research shows patients dilate much slower than he suggested. Some show twice as long as he suggested. It is not uncommon for patients to take longer than two hours to make cervical change.
How does the CSL define the slowest cervical progress that is considered normal?
0.5-0.7 cm/hr nulliparas
0.5-1.3 cm/hr multiparas
(Rate increases as labor progresses)
What does Friedman say about the relationship between length of labor and perinatal complications?
Friedman said that protractions and arrest (excluding latent phase) were associated with a significant increase in fetal/neonatal morbidity and mortality
Much (though not all) of this increased morbidity and mortality associated with mid forceps births
In Friedman’s study, arrested labor associated with significant increase in perinatal mortality even with spontaneous birth.
What does contemporary research say about the relationship between length of labor and perinatal complications?
No increase in neurologic abnormalities with labor abnormalities
No difference in: PPH, Postpartum fever, Neonatal resuscitation, 5 minutes Apgar < 7
No difference in perinatal mortality, postpartum hemorrhage
More cesarean births (13.1% vs. 6.1%), chorioamnionitis (23.5% vs. 12.5%) admissions to NICU (9.8% vs. 4.7%) for unspecified reasons
No difference in 3rd/4th degree lacerations, pp endometritis, pp hemorrhage, Apgars, meconium aspiration, neonatal sepsis, shoulder dystocia, birth trauma
Authors conclude longer labor associated with more cesareans but no increase in adverse neonatal outcomes.
Understand evidence and expert opinion regarding when we should intervene in slow or non-progressive labor.
There is little evidence on which to base the decision about when to intervene.
Almost all the contemporary research concerns defining normal rates of progress (our first question), so we do not have strong recommendations regarding when intervention should begin. And there is a wide array of possible interventions. Obstetricians generally think amniotomy, oxytocin or cesarean birth when referring to timing of interventions. Midwives tend to consider a longer list including non-pharmacologic options.
What does the contemporary evidence show in regard to intervening in slow labor?
Faster intervention=faster delivery. Otherwise no significant differences. There is no optimal waiting times suggested.
Are there current recommendations on how to intervene in regard to slow labor?
No
Only one study: Oxytocin vs Water immersion=less epidurals and oxytocin in water group but no other differences in terms of outcomes.
What does ACOG say about when a c/s should be recommended for slow labor?
“Slow but progressive labor should not be an indication for cesarean section” and “Cesarean delivery for active phase arrest in the first stage of labor should be reserved for women at or beyond 6 cm with ruptured membranes who fail to progress despite 4 hours of adequate uterine activity or at least 6 hours of oxytocin with no cervical change.”
List some indications for induction of labor.
-Gestational hypertension
-Preeclampsia/eclampsia
-Fetal growth restriction
-Cholestasis of pregnancy
-Diabetes mellitus
-Fetal demise
-Intra-amniotic infection
-Oligohydramnios
-Nonreassuring fetal status
-Prelabor rupture of membranes
-Post-term pregnancy.