title: The effect of the use of a new type of partogram on the cesarean section rates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the contribution of a new type of partogram, used in labor monitoring, in caesarean section rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included term singleton uncomplicated pregnancies divided into two groups. Two types of partogram were used in labor monitoring. In the first group, the classical WHO partogram (A) was used. In the second group, a new type of partogram, in which cervical dilatation and the position of descending head (B) (one line) were estimated and reported, was used. The labor duration and caesarean section rates were calculated and compared in the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant decrease in labor duration (from the initiation of the active phase of labor to the delivery time) (dt1+dt2+dt3) (p<0.001, A: median: 318.4±10.4 min, B: 246.56±8.28 min) and in caesarean section rates was noted (p<0.001, A: 89 vs B: 49).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new type of partogram seems to have potential benefits such as reducing the incidence of prolonged labor and decreasing the caesarean section rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vlachos
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tsikouras
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Bachar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manav
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Grigorios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trypsianis
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasileios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Liberis
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emeritus Assistant Professor, 1 University Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Sakellarios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karpathios
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galazios
keywords: New type of partogram; caesarean section rate; labor management