To interpret the partogram, one must analyze the different parameters it records during labor, such as fetal heart rate, cervical dilatation, and the descent of the fetal head. One of the key indicators on a partogram is the pattern of cervical dilatation against time. 1. **Cervical Dilation and Descent of Fetal Head:** If there is slow progress or stalling of cervical dilation and the descent line crosses the alert and action lines, it may indicate an issue. 2. **Common Interpretations:**
Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD): This occurs when the baby's head or body is too large to pass through the mother's pelvis. On a partogram, CPD is often suspected if there is a prolonged labor or arrest disorder, particularly if adequate uterine contractions are present but there is slow progress in cervical dilation and fetal descent.
Inadequate Uterine Contractions: This is characterized by irregular or weak contractions that fail to progress labor, seen as a prolonged labor pattern on the partogram without significant cervical dilation over time.
Maternal Exhaustion: It can occur due to prolonged labor, visible if the labor extends over a lengthy period with slow progress, but this is more a clinical observation rather than a specific partogram diagnosis.
Rupture Uterus: This is a severe obstetric emergency and usually presents with drastic changes, such as sudden fetal distress, cessation of contractions, and maternal hemorrhage, rather than being directly shown on a partogram.
The partogram analysis correctly identifies CPD as the interpretation in this case, as the pattern shows inadequate progress despite adequate contractions, suggesting a mismatch between the baby's size and the maternal pelvis.
