WHO Partograph

For Beginner

• Dr Muhammad El Hennawy
• Ob/gyn specialist
• Rass el barr central hospital and
dumyat specialised hospital
• Dumyatt – EGYPT
• www.mmhennawy.8k.com
 Partograph
• A partograph is a graphical
record of the observations made
of a women in labour
• For progress of labour and salient
conditions of the mother and
fetus
• It was developed and extensively
tested by the world health
organization WHO
 History Of Partogram
Friedman's partogram devised in 1954 was based
on observations of cervical dilatation and foetal
station against time elapsed in hours from onset of
labour. The time onset of labour was based on the
patient's subjective perception of her contractility.
Plotting cervical dilatation against time yielded the
typical sigmoid or 'S' shaped curve and station
against time gave rise to the hyperbolic curve.
Limits of normal were defined
 Philpott and Castle
• in 1972 introduced the concept of "ALERT" and "ACTION"
lines. The aim of this study was to fulfill the needs of paramedical
personnel practising obstetrics in Rhodesian African
primigravidae. The alert line represented the mean rate of
progress of the slowest 10% of patients in the African population
whom they served. Alert line was drawn at a slope of 1
centimetre/hr for nulliparous women starting at zero time i.e.
time of admission . Action line drawn four hours to the right of
the alert line showing that if the patient has crossed the alert line
active management should be instituted within 4 hours, enabling
the transfer of the patient to a specialised tertiary care centre.
• The action line was subsequently drawn two hours to the right of
the alert line
 Studd's labour stencils
• It were introduced in 1972. These stencils
predicted the expected pattern of
progression of labour based on the extent of
dilataton achieved by the time the patient is
admitted (zero time). Curves showing the
average course of cervical dilatation were
constructed for various dilatation on
admission. Five separate patterns
representing normal labour progression
were constructed. The curves were
transcribed onto acrylic stencils On
admission in labour, the cervical dilatation
was assessed and a stencil was used to draw
the relevant pencil line of expected progress
on the patient's cervicograph which was
then completed. Those crossing the
nomogram line were found to have a three
fold increase in instrumental delivery.
WHO partograph
 Overview
• The partograph can be used by health workers with adequate training
in midwifery who are able to :
- observe and conduct normal labour and delivery.
- Perform vaginal examination in labour and assess cervical diltation
accurately
- plot cervical diltation accurately on a graph against time
• There is no place for partograph in deliveries at home conducted by
attendants other than those trained in midwifery
• Whether used in health centers or in hospitals , the partograph must be
accompanied by a program of training in its use and by appropriate
supervision and follow up
 Objectives
• early detection of abnormal progress of a labour
• prevention of prolonged labour
• recognize cephalopelvic disproportion long before obstructed labour
• assist in early decision on transfer , augmentation , or terminjation of
labour
• increase the quality and regularity of all observations of mother and
fetus
• early recognition of maternal or fetal problems
• the partograph can be highly effective in reducing complications from
prolonged labor for the mother (postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis,
uterine rupture and its sequelae) and for the newborn (death, anoxia,
infections, etc.).
 Partograph function
• The partograph is designed for use in all maternity settings , but has a
different level of function at different levels of health care
• in health center, the partograph,s critical function is
to give early warning if labour is likely to be prolonged and to indicate
that the woman should be transferred to hospital (ALERT LINE
FUNCTION )
• in hospital settings, moving to the right of alert line serves as a
warning for extra vigilance , but the action line is the critical point at
which specific management decisions must be made
• other observations on the progress of labour are also recorded on the
partograph and are essential features in management of labour
 Components of the partograph
• Part 1 : fetal condition
( at top )
• Pqrt 11 : progress of labour
( at middle )
• Part 111 : maternal condition
( at bottom )
• Outcome : ………………
 Part 1 : Fetal condition
• this part of the graph is used to monitor and assess fetal condition
• 1 - Fetal heart rate
• 2 - membranes and liquor
• 3 - moulding the fetal skull bones
• Caput
 Fetal heart rate
?Basal fetal heart rate
• < 160 beats/mi =tachycardia
• > 120 beats/min = bradycardia
• >100 beats/min = severe bradycardia
Decelerations? yes/no
Relation to contractions?
 Early
 Variable
 Late – -----Auscultation - return to baseline
> 30 sec  contraction
----- Electronic monitoring
peak and trough (nadir)
 > 30 sec
 membranes and liquor
• intact membranes ……………………………………….I
• ruptured membranes + clear liquor …………………….C
• ruptured membranes + meconium- stained liquor ……..M
• ruptured membranes + blood – stained liquor …………B
• ruptured membranes + absent liquor…………………....A
 moulding the fetal skull bones
• Molding is an important indication of how adequately the
pelvis can accommodate the fetal head
• increasing molding with the head high in the pelvis is an
ominous sign of cephalopelvic disproportion
• separated bones . sutures felt easily ……………….….O
• bones just touching each other ………………………..+
• overlapping bones ( reducible 0 ……………………...++
• severely overlapping bones ( non – reducible ) ……..+++
 part11 – progress of labour
Cervical diltation .
• Descent of the fetal head
• Fetal position
• Uterine contractions

• this section of the paragraph has as its central feature a graph of

cervical diltation against time
• it is divided into a latent phase and an active phase
 : latent phase

• it starts from onset of labour until the cervix reaches 3 cm

diltation
• once 3 cm diltation is reached , labour enters the active
phase
• lasts 8 hours or less
• each lasting < 20 sceonds
• at least 2/10 min contractions
 : Active phase

• Contractions at least 3 / 10 min

• each lasting < 40 sceonds
• The cervix should dilate at a rate of 1
cm / hour or faster
 Alert line ( health facility line )

• The alert line drawn from 3 cm diltation

represents the rate of diltation of 1 cm /
hour
• Moving to the right or the alert line means
referral to hospital for extra vigilance
 Action line ( hospital line )

• The action line is drawn 4 hour to the right

of the alert line and parallel to it
• This is the critical line at which specific
management decisions must be made at the
hospital
 Cervical diltation
• It is the most important information and the surest way to assess
progress of labour , even though other findings discovered on
vaginal examination are also important
• when progress of labour is normal and satisfactory , plotting of
cervical diltation remains on the alert line or to left of it
• if a woman arrives in the active phase of labour , recording of
cervical diltation starts on the alert line
• when the active phase of labor begins , all recordings are
transferred and start by pltting cervical diltation on the alert line
 Descent of the fetal head
• It should be assessed by abdominal
examination immediately before doing
a vaginal examination, using the rule of
fifth to assess engagement
• The rule of fifth means the palpable
fifth of the fetal head are felt by
abdominal examination to be above the
level of symphysis pubis
• When 2/5 or less of fetal head is felt
above the level of symphysis pubis ,
this means that the head is engage , and
by vaginal examination , the lowest
part of vertex has passed or is at the
level of ischial spines
Assessing descent of the fetal head by vaginal
examination;
 . 0 station is at the level of the ischial spine (Sp)
 Fetal position

 Occiput transverse positions

 Occiput anterior positions

 Uterine contractions
• Observations of the contractions are made every hour in the
latent phase and every half-hour in the active phase
• frequency how often are they felt ?
• Assessed by number of contractions in a 10 minutes period
• duration how long do they last ?
Measured in seconds from the time the contraction is first felt
abdominally , to the time the contraction phases off
• Each square represents one contraction
 Palpate number of contraction in ten
minutes and duration of each contraction in
seconds

• Less than 20 seconds: 

• Between 20 and 40 seconds:

• More than 40 seconds:

 Part111: maternal condition
Name / DOB /Gestation
Medical / Obstetrical issues
Assess maternal condition regularly by monitoring :
• drugs , IV fluids , and oxytocin , if labour is augmented
• pulse , blood pressure
• Temperature
• Urine volume , analysis for protein and acetone
Management of labour using the
partograph
- latant phase is less than 8 hours
- progress in active phase remains
on or left of the alert line

• Do not augment with oxytocin if

latent and active phases go normally
• Do not intervene unless complications
develop
• Artificial rupture of membranes
( ARM )
• No ARM in latent phase
• ARM at any time in active phase
 Between alert and action lines

• In health center , the women must be transferred to a

hospital with facilities for cesarean section , unless the
cervix is almost fully dilated
• Observe labor progress for short period before transfer
• Continue routine observations
• ARM may be performed if membranes are still intact
 At or beyond action line

• Conduct full medical assessement

• Consider intravenous infusion / bladder catheterization / analgesia
• Options
- Deliver by cesarean section if there is fetal distress or obstructed
labour
- Augment with oxytocin by intravenous infusion if there are no
contraindications
ABNORMAL PROGRESS OF
LBOR
• One of the main functions of the partograph
is to detect early deviation from normal
progress of labor
 Moving to the right of alert line

• This means warning

• Transfer the woman from health center to
hospital
• reaching the action line
• This means possible danger
• Decision needed on future management
(usually by obesteritian or resident )
 Prolonged latent phase
• If a woman is admitted in labor
in the latent phase ( less than 3
cm diltation ) and remains in the
latent phase for next 8 hours
• Progress is abnormal and she
must br transferred to a hospital
for a decision about further
action
• This is why there is a heavy line
drawn on the partograph at the
end of 8 hours of the latent phase
 Polonged Active phase
• In the active phase of labor , plotting of
cervical diltation will normally remain
on or to the left of the alert line
• But some cases will move to the right of
the alert line and this warns that labor
may be prolonged
• This will happen if the rate of cervical
diltation in the active phase of labor is
not 1 cm / hour or faster
• A woman whose cervical diltation
moves to the right of the alert line must
be transferred and manged in a hospital
with adequate facilities for obstetric
intervention unless delivery is near
• at the action line , the woman must be
carefully reassessed for why labor is not
progressing and a decision made on
further management
Secondary arrest of
cervical diltation

• Abnormal progress of labor may

occur in cases with normal
progress of cervical diltation then
followed by secondary arrest of
diltation
 Secondary arrest of head descant

• Abnormal progress of labor may occur with normal progress of

descent of the fetal head then followed by secondary arrest of
desscent of fetal head
 Precipitate Labour

- Maximum slope of dilatation of 5 cm/hr or

more
USING THE PARTOGRAPH
POINTS TO REMEMBER
• It is important to realize that the partograph is a tool for
managing labor progress only

• The partograph does not help to identify other risk factors

that may have been present before labor started
• only start a partograph when you have checked that there are
no complications of pregnancy that require immediate action

• a partograph chart must only be started when a woman is in

labor,-- be sure that she is contracting enough to start a
partograph

• if progress of labor is satisfactory , the plotting of cervical

diltation will remain or to the left of the alert line
• when labor progress well , the diltation should not move to the
right of the alert line

• the latent phase . 0 – 3 cm diltation , is accompanied by gradual

shortening of cervix . normally , the latent phase should not last
more than 8 hours

• the active phase , 3 – 10 cm diltation , should progress at rate of

at least 1 cm/hour

• when admission takes place in the active phase , the admission

diltation, is immediately plotted on the alert line
• when labor goes from latent to active phase , plotting of
the diltation is immediately transferred from the latent
phase area to the alert line
• diltation of the cervix is plotted ( recorded with an X , desent of the
fetal head is plotted with an O , and uterine contractions are plotted
with differential shading

• desent of the head should always be assessed by abdominal

examination ( by the rule of fifths felt above the pelvic brim )
immediately before doing a vaginal examination

• assessing descent of the head assists in detecting progress of labor

• increased molding with a high head is a sign of cephalopelvic

disproportion
• vaginal examination should be performed infrequently as this is
compatible with safe practice ( once every 4 hours is
recommended )

• when the woman arrives in the latent phase , time of admission

is 0 time

• a woman whose cervical diltation moves to the right of the alert

line must be transferred and manged in an institution with
adequate facilities for obstetric intervention , unless delivery is
near
• when a woman ,s partograph reaches the action line , she must be
carefully reassessed to determine why there is lack of progress , and
a decision must be made on further management ( usually by an
obesterician or resident )

• when a woman in labor passes the latent phase in less than 8 hours
i.e., transfers from latent to active phase , the most important feature
is to transfer plotting of cervical diltation to the alert line using the
letters TR,

• Leaving the area between the transferred recording blank. The

broken transfer line is not part of the process of labor

• do not forget to transfer all other findings vertically

IMPORTANT COSIDERATIONS
 OXYTOCIN
• Oxytocics must be preserved in a cool ,
dark place
• A local regime may be used
• Oxytocin should be titrates against
uterine contractions and increased every
half- hour until contractions are 3 or 4
in10 minutes , each lasting 40 – 50
seconds
• It may br maintained at the rate thoughout
the second stage of labor
• Stop oxytocin infusion if there is
evidence of uterine hyperactivity and / or
fetal distress
• Oxytocin must be used with caution in
multiparous women and rarely , if at all ,
in women of para 4 or more
• Augment with oxytocin only after
artificial rupture of membranes and
provided that the liquor is clear
 MEMBRANES
• if membranes have been ruptured for 12 hours
or more , antibiotics should be given

• As a first defense against serious infections, give a combination of

antibiotics:
- ampicillin 2 g IV every 6 hours;
- PLUS gentamicin 5 mg/kg body weight IV every 24 hours;
- PLUS metronidazole 500 mg IV every 8 hours.
Note:
If the infection is not severe, amoxicillin 500 mg by mouth every 8
hours can be used instead of ampicillin. Metronidazole can be given
by mouth instead of IV.
 FETAL DISTRESS
• If a woman is laboring in a health center . transfer her to a hospital
with facilities for operative delivery
• In a hospital , immediately :
- Conduct a vaginal examination to exclude cord prolapse and observe
amniotic fluid
- Provide adequate hydraion
- Administer oxygen , if avaliablestop oxytocin
-Turn the woman or her left side
 Diagnosis of labour

Regular painful contractions resulting

in progressive change of the cervix

+/- show
+/- rupture of membranes
 Components of normal labour
Patient
pain , bladder empty , dehydration , exhaustion
Powers
Uterine contractions
Maternal effort
Passages
Maternal pelvis ( Inlet - Outlet )
Maternal soft tissue
Passenger
Fetal ( size - presentation - position – Moulding)
cord
placenta
membranes
 The partograph in the management
.of labor following cesarean section
• In women undergoing a trial of labor following cesarean
section, the partographic zone 2-3 h after the alert line
represents a time of high risk of scar rupture. An action
line in this time zone would probably help reduce the
rupture rate without an unacceptable increase in the rate of
cesarean section
ELECTRONIC PARTOGRAPH
• Full electronic capture of patient
information during childbirth including,
• CTG's,
• partograms,
• all labour events,
• outcome information,
• fetal blood sampling results and cord
blood gases direct from the blood gas
analyser
This information can be shown in real time
to enhance communication within and
outside the delivery suite to improve
patient care and reduce human error.
• It can be accessed over the anywhere,
anytime, from within a hospital or from a
home..
COMPUTERIZED LABOR MANAGEMENT
To accurately and continuously measure cervical dilatation and fetal
head station in labor and the fetal monitoring and the mother monitoring
A ultrasound–based computerized labor management system was
designed
The Fetal Monitoring System and
The mother Monitoring System with
The system´s in-vivo generated individual Partograms
with real time dilatation and head station measurements.
The measurements had accuracy of < 5mm =
all parturients were comfortable throughout the insertion and the testing
period.
There was no infection, bleeding or any significant local complication at
any attachment site
• This system provides accurate continuous measurements of
dilatation and station.
• The method is superior to digital examination and provides real
time diagnosis of non-progressive and precipitous labor.
• The system is likely to reduce discomfort and infections associated
to multiple vaginal examinations..
 The Fetal Monitoring System
is a computer based training system that can be accessed over
the anywhere, anytime, from within a hospital or from a
.home
The Mother Monitoring System