Osmosis video - Abnormal labor: Clinical

Labor refers to the regular and painful uterine contractions that result in cervical changes during childbirth. Abnormal labor is a term used to describe any type of labor that deviates from the "normal" process. Labor is considered abnormal when it progresses abnormally slower than in most patients who have a spontaneous vaginal birth, or when it doesn't progress at all. Abnormal labor increases the risk of both maternal and neonatal complications such as birth asphyxia, cesarean delivery, operative vaginal delivery, and postpartum hemorrhage.