[Graphic analysis of labor progression]

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy and delivery are special events in women's and their family's life. Although pregnancy is a natural phenomenon and not a disease, sometimes it can be associated with several dangers to the mother and her fetus. Maternal death is a global finding and its five most important causes are bleeding, infection, hypertension, prolonged labor and abortion in unsanitary condition. Early diagnosis of abnormal labor progression and prevention of prolonged labor can reduce the risk of postpartum bleeding and infection. The chart of labor called [Partograph] has been introduced and applied since 1970 to help diagnosis of the abnormal labor and cephalopelvic disproportion. Partograph is an early alerting system which can prevent probable difficulties in different stages of labor through recording of all of the observations and examinations on one chart, so that mother can be referred as soon as possible to higher levels of health services