Use of labor graphs in a community hospital.

The large series reported by Friedman have established the importance of the time factor in relation to cervical dilatation and station of the presenting part during labor. Variations of the rate of dilatation and descent may be evident using a graph with the upper values of normal. This study was conducted in a Community hospital with an average of 200 deliveries a month. The attending physician followed labor as usual, unaware of the graphic recordings. The outcome of the labors with normal and abnormal graphic patterns were compared. There was a correlation between the abnormal labor pattern, arrest of cervical dilatation, with abdominal deliveries and lower apgar scores. The recognition of abnormal labors does not require a profound understanding of labor nor the range of normalcy.