Uterine activity plotted on an inductograph as an aid to management of labour

By combining uterine activity data with an "inductograph" it is possible to distinguish between normal progress and at least three different types of delayed progress during the early stage of stimulated labour. Delayed progress may be associated with optimal, insufficient or, sometimes, excessive uterine activity. The patterns described facilitate early recognition and management of clinical problems such as cephalopelvic disproportion, undue cervical resistance, inadequate myometrial activity, and impending fetal distress.