The Labor Progress Handbook: Early Interventions to Prevent and Treat Dystocia

Dystocia or failure to progress in labor is the main reason for cesarean deliveries. The second edition of this successful text focuses on simple non-invasive interventions to prevent or treat difficult labor. It describes positions, movements and techniques based on principles of anatomy, physiology and psychology of childbirth.

The Labor Progress Handbook is organized by stage of labor for easy reference, enabling the care giver to quickly identify appropriate low cost, low risk interventions and treat dystocia effectively, at an early stage before it becomes severe. The new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated and includes a new chapter on assessing progress in labor, together with new sections on managing labor pain, normal labor and additional positions and maneuvers. The rationale for all techniques is included based on the authors’ clinical experience and wherever possible on the underlying evidence base.

• New edition of essential resource for anyone caring for women in labor

• Brings Together a wealth of evidence-based information and clinical expertise

• 'Focuses on non-invasive techniques to assist the progress of labor

• Emphasis on maternal comfort, support and safety

• Encourages thoughtful, evidence-based diagnosis and intervention

• Contains clear and simple illustrations, which complement the text

From Reviews:

'The focus of support, position, maternal comfort, and safety is one that should be used by anyone caring for laboring women. It encourages thoughtful diagnosis and intervention in an ordered and sensible manner.'

--Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing (on the first edition)

Organized by stages of labor, this handbook describes prevention, diagnosis, and non-invasive interventions for failure to progress in labor. Simkin and Ancheta (Seattle Midwifery School and Independent Practice of Childbirth Education and Labor Support) detail interventions based on medical and childbirth education literature as well as psychology, sociology, and anthropology. This edition has a new chapter on assessing progress in labor by Suzy Myers (Seattle Midwifery School and Seattle Home Maternity Service & Childbirth Center), and new sections on managing labor pain, normal labor, and additional positions and maneuvers. Aside from the general index, there is also an index referring to epidural illustrations and mentions in the text. The book is aimed at practitioners and students of obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, midwifery, and nursing. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Edward Ghali, DSc, Dept. of Mining and Metallurgy, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada G1K 7P4

Failure to progress in labor (dystocia) is the main reason for caesarean deliveries. The second edition of this successful text focuses on simple non-invasive interventions to prevent, manage and treat dystocia. The new edition has been revised and updated throughout and includes new chapters on assessing progress in labor and on managing labor pain, and new sections on normal labor and additional positions and manoeuvres.

Penny Simkin serves on the Faculty and Board of Consultants of Seattle Midwifery School and is on the Editorial Board of Birth: Issues in Midwifery Care. She trains childbirth educators and doula trainers and is founder of Doulas of North America.

Ruth Ancheta has over 15 years experience in perinatal education and is an experienced doula and doula trainer.

Foreword to the second edition.

Foreword to the first edition.

Dedication.

Acknowledgements.

Chapter 1: Introduction.

Chapter 2: Dysfunctional Labor: General Considerations.

Chapter 3: Assessing Progress in Labor.

Chapter 4: Prolonged Pre-Labor and Latent First Stage.

Chapter 5: Prolonged Active Phase of Labor.

Chapter 6: Prolonged Second Stage of Labor.

Chapter 7: The Labor Progress Toolkit: Part 1. Maternal Positions and Movements.

Chapter 8: The Labor Progress Toolkit: Part 2. Comfort Measures.

Epidural Index.

Index.