Slowing of active labor associated with internal fetal monitoring

Active labor progress is generally believed to be linear. By using an ultrasonic cervimeter, which continuously records dilatation of the uterine cervix, acute decreases in active-phase dilatation followed by less rapid recoveries are found to be associated with intravaginal obstetric manipulations. These findings support the concepts that active labor may be nonlinear and regression in cervical dilatation is a real phenomenon.