Individual interpretations of a 'slow labour' can vary from caregiver to caregiver. In some cases, interventions will definitely be needed, in others it may be unnecessary. To truly assess the progress of a woman's labour, the caregiver should consider many aspects including:
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The woman's behaviour when labouring. |
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The pattern, length and intensity of her contractions. (For some women their contractions will only ever be 5 minutes apart, or more, yet they will progress). |
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The descent of her baby's head into the pelvis, the position the baby is lying in and if the baby is 'rotating' into an anterior position. |
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The dilation, thinness and consistency of her cervix. |
The medical definition of 'reasonable progress' for first time mothers is the cervix dilating about 1 centimetre per hour, (or no dilation when vaginal examinations are performed 4 hours apart). Second time mothers are normally expected to progress a little faster than this. In reality, many women will deviate from this guide, and dilate faster or slower (but still progress over time).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends only using this guide to evaluate the labour, not necessarily to intervene in it. Cervical dilation is only one measure, ideally the caregiver should consider other aspects.
These may include:
Progress is 'slow but sure'. Some women fail to follow the 'textbook' definition. As human beings we all have inherent individual differences. This can translate to wide variations in labour as well. Instead of dilating at 1cm per hour, the woman may dilate at 1 cm every 11/2 to 2 hours. If you and your baby are well, then there is no need to interfere (unless you are keen to labour more quickly than this and are aware of the possible risks involved).