title: Labor patterns in grand multiparas.
abstract: Five hundred consecutive normal, term, grand multiparous labors were the subject of retrospective computer analysis. The purpose of the present study is to describe a labor curve applicable to the grand multipara. Computer analysis revealed the following features of the "grand multipara" labor curve. The following deviations from the "classical" curve were observed: (1) The active phase of labor begins at 5-6 cm of cervical dilatation. (2) There is no deceleration phase. (3) Descent of the presenting part begins at 7-8 cm of cervical dilatation. Knowledge of the labor pattern may be helpful in the clinical management of labor in the grand multiparous patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Maimonides Medical Center and State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11219, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Petrikovsky
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Moy
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tancer
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology; D004106:Dilatation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies