Abnormal Labor: Causes and Management

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines normal birth as: spontaneous in onset, low-risk at the start of labor and remaining so throughout labor and delivery, the infant is born spontaneously in the vertex position between 37 and 42 completed weeks of pregnancy, and after birth, mother and infant are in good condition. Abnormal labor constitutes any findings that fall outside the accepted definition of normal labor. The three main factors associated with abnormal labor are the power (inadequate uterine contractions), the passage (abnormal pelvic anatomy), and the passenger (eg, macrosomia or malpresentation). Abnormal labor suggests an increased risk of an unfavorable outcome, and alerts alternative methods for a successful delivery that minimize risks to both the mother and the infant. This book provides a comprehensive review of abnormal labor along with its causes and management, which will be of immense value for obstetricians and allied health professionals.