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Intrauterine-pressure studies in African nulliparae: normal labour progress
Uterine activity was measured in 29 nulliparous African women, who were in the active phase of spontaneous labour, and who were delivered vaginally without supplementary oxytocin. A fluid-filled intrauterine catheter, an external strain gauge and a pressure-curve integrator were used to quantitate uterine activity. The rate of dilatation of the cervix from entry to the study to full dilatation of the cervix was greater than 1 cm/h; this constituted normal labour progress. In nulliparous African women the minimum level of uterine activity likely to be associated with a cervical dilatation rate of 1 cm/h was 1200 kPas/15 min and the median uterine activity level in the active phase of normal labour was 1824 kPas/15 min.
Uterine activity was measured in 29 nulliparous African women, who were in the active phase of spontaneous labour, and who were delivered vaginally without supplementary oxytocin. A fluid-filled intrauterine catheter, an external strain gauge and a pressure-curve integrator were used to quantitate uterine activity. The rate of dilatation of the cervix from entry to the study to full dilatation of the cervix was greater than 1 cm/h; this constituted normal labour progress. In nulliparous African women the minimum level of uterine activity likely to be associated with a cervical dilatation rate of 1 cm/h was 1200 kPas/15 min and the median uterine activity level in the active phase of normal labour was 1824 kPas/15 min.