gynecology and obstetrics
Protracted Labor
Introduction
Protracted labor is abnormally slow cervical dilation or fetal descent during active labor. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment is withoxytocin, operative vaginal delivery, or cesarean delivery. 4 to 6 cm ( General reference ). Normally, cervical dilation and descent of the head into the pelvis proceed at a rate of at least 1 cm/hour and more quickly in multiparous women. 