Labor Chart: A Detailed Guide for Expecting Mothers and Medical Professionals

Labor Chart: A Detailed Guide for Expecting Mothers and Medical Professionals

A labor chart is an important tool for monitoring and evaluating the progress of a woman’s labor. This article will help you understand the labor chart better, how to use it, and what information to remember.

# 1. Who Needs a Labor Chart?

Not all pregnant women need a labor chart. Cases that require monitoring with a labor chart include:

• Severe preeclampsia, eclampsia: Close monitoring of the mother’s and baby’s health is crucial.

• Fetal distress: To assess the baby’s oxygen supply.

• Previous cesarean section: Monitor the condition of the scar and the risk of scar rupture.

• Vertex presentation: To evaluate the progress of the baby’s position and the risk of tearing of the birth canal.

# 2. How to Use a Labor Chart

The labor chart is divided into three main sections:

• Section 1: Information about the mother: Includes name, age, date of birth, date of labor, number of births, medical history, health status, etc.

• Section 2: Labor progress: Records important indicators such as cervical dilation, fetal descent, fetal heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, etc.

• Section 3: Notes: Records information related to the labor process such as time of rupture of membranes, use of medications, infusions, etc.

Note: The labor chart is often recorded using standardized symbols. Common symbols include:

• “C”: Cervix.

• “P”: Rupture of membranes.

• “T”: Clear amniotic fluid.

• “D”: Cloudy amniotic fluid.

• “++”: Well-engaged presentation.

• “O”: Fetal descent is low.

# 3. Stages of Labor

Labor is divided into two main stages:

• Latent Phase: Starts from the beginning of labor until the cervix dilates to 3cm.

• Active Phase: Starts from the time the cervix dilates to 3cm until it is fully dilated.

Important parameters to note:

• Cervical dilation: Normal cervical dilation rate is 1cm/hour.

• Fetal descent: Low fetal descent is indicated by “O” on the chart.

• Fetal heart rate: Normal fetal heart rate is 120-140 beats per minute.

• Blood pressure, temperature: These need to be monitored and recorded regularly.

# 4. Abnormal Events to Watch Out For

• Slow cervical dilation: If cervical dilation is too slow (less than 1cm/hour), the cause needs to be investigated and appropriate treatment should be given.

• Fetal distress: When the fetal heart rate is abnormal (increased, decreased, slow, fast, irregular) fetal resuscitation is needed, and the patient should be transferred to a higher level of care immediately.

• Cloudy amniotic fluid: This needs to be assessed for infection, and treated according to guidelines.

# 5. Management When Abnormalities Are Detected

• Fetal resuscitation: Apply fetal resuscitation measures such as changing position, intravenous fluids, oxygen, etc.

• Transfer to a higher level of care: When the mother’s and baby’s health is at risk, they should be transferred to a higher level of care immediately.

The labor chart is a valuable tool to support the monitoring and evaluation of the labor process. The above information helps you better understand the labor chart and how to use it effectively. Closely monitor the progress of labor and follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure safety for both mother and baby.