Aim: Labor dystocia is one of the commonest indications of lower segment cesarean section (LSCS). Recent studies have shown a dramatic change in the rate of cervical dilatation and labor progress. There are no large studies to assess labor in this ethnic group and hence this study has been done to find out labor behavior in women with spontaneous labor in South India. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was done in our teaching hospital. Labor was managed as per protocol and a partogram was maintained. Data were extracted from case-records and analyzed. Results: Labor progress was much slower than what was thought of. There was wide variability in the duration of labor. Conclusion: Many women took time up to the 95th percentile and some even crossed three times the median time to deliver. Clinical significance: Though many women will deliver in the expected time, it is important to know the maximum time or the 95th percentile for each dilatation so that sufficient time can be allowed before labeling a case as prolonged labor.
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