Study of Course of Labour by Modified Who Partograph

Background: The modified WHO partograph is an inexpensive but valuable tool that provides a continuous pictorial overview of progress of labor. It helps to detect the abnormal progress of labor. It guides the obstetrician to decide about the need for augmentation of labor and helps to recognize prolong labour before obstruction occurs. Objectives: The objectives were to study the course of normal and abnormal labour, to study various types of abnormalities of active phase of labour and to evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcome in normal and abnormal labour. Methods: A prospective hospital based observational study of 100 selected cases coming for delivery during January 2010 to Dec 2010 was done. Progress of Labor was assessed by the use of Modified WHO Partograph. Various parameters like duration of normal and abnormal labor, type of labor abnormalities, mode of delivery, need for augmentation etc. were studied. Results: The average duration of active stage was 5.5 hours in normal labor. Protracted active phase and secondary arrest of labor were the commonest active phase abnormalities observed. Problems like prolonged and obstructed labor were avoided by timely intervention in the form of caesarean section and instrumental delivery .Perinatal outcome was satisfactory. Conclusion: Routine use of partograph helps in early detection of abnormal course of labour. It assures the best possible maternal and perinatal outcome .It is suggested that every woman in labour must be benefitted by this scientific approach of labour management i.e. with the use of Modified WHO partograph.