Birth Issues Journal > Reviews

THE LABOR PROGRESS HANDBOOK:
EARLY INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT AND TREAT DYSTOCIA

Review of 1st edition by Maralyn Foureur

I read this book in one sitting, devouring the assembled wisdom with mounting excitement. Everyone must read it! This book is essential for every maternity care provider who is interested in the issue of slow or no progress in labour.

The book explores the psycho-emotional, physical and physiological factors which play a part in labour progress and are the factors which make up the multifaceted process we have somewhat simplistically called labour support.

It describes the possible causes of what is variously diagnosed as dystocia; failure to progress; prolonged pre-labour; prolonged latent or active phase of labour; dysfunctional labour and delay in the second stage. The book details how slow/no progress in labour can be prevented and how to diagnose and treat slow progress if and when it happens. Simkin and Ancheta have produced an (almost) pocket sized book, packed with well illustrated and powerful, largely evidence based, messages which have the potential to change clinical practices and influence childbirth outcomes.

Both authors are childbirth educators and 'labour supporters' (doulas). Many will be familiar with Penny Simkin's numerous publications concerning the physiology of stress and catecholamines in labour. I have always appreciated the care she takes with providing a critical review of the research evidence on which her writing is based and this book has been written in the same vein. Each of the seven chapters is well referenced to provide justification for the interventions proposed. Where there is no evidence available, an invitation to undertake scientific studies to determine effectiveness is given. In the meantime the intervention is offered with caution.

Material gleaned from experienced clinicians and the midwifery, nursing, childbirth education and medical literature together with ideas from anthropology, psychology and sociology have been skillfully combined in this text.

This book contains foundational skills for midwifery practice.

Maralyn Foureur
Professor of Midwifery, Victoria University, Wellington New Zealand