Presentation Information

Friedman’s Curve and Failure to Progress

• Speaker: Rebecca Dekker , PhD, RN, APRN
• Presentation Type:
• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 Dietetic CEU

Abstract:

Although published in 1955, Friedman’s curve continues to govern routine labor management today. “Failure to progress,” a subjective diagnosis typically based on Friedman’s curve, is the cause of 35% of C-sections performed in first-time mothers. In this presentation, you will learn the history behind Friedman’s curve, the average time of cervical dilation in modern birthing women, and the newly proposed definitions of active labor and labor arrest. Strong evidence points to new recommendations that as long as mother and baby are both healthy and the length of labor does not meet the criteria of arrested labor, laboring women should be treated as if they are progressing normally. Importantly, six centimeters should be considered the start of the active phase—not four centimeters—and caregivers should keep in mind that normal early labor (before 6 cm) sometimes includes a period in which there is no change in dilation for hours.