c
of uterine action):
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j.kiilu
, INTRODUCTION:
• Normal labour is characterised by progress
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• Dysfunctional labour is one that does notrec c c c c c c
sult in normal progress of cervical effacem
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ent, dilatation, and fetal descent
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• Dystocia is a general term that describes anydif
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ficult labour or birth
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,• A dysfunctional labour may result from:
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– problems of the powers of labour
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– the passenger
c
– the passage
c
– the position
c
– the psyche or a combination of all the above
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• Dysfunctional labour is often prolonged butm
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ay be unusually short and intense
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, Problems of the powers c c c
• Powers include: uterine contractions and them
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aternal effort to push out the baby
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• Powers of labour may not be adequate to expelth
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e fetus because of ineffective contractions orineff
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ective maternal pushing efforts
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• Effective uterine activity is characterised by coor
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dinated contractions that are strong and numer
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ous enough to propel the fetus past theresistanc
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e of the woman’s bony pelvis and softtissues
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