Principal investigator: Jun (Jim) Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.
In the past half century, labor and delivery practice has followed the Friedman curve in the United States. However, the obstetric population and labor management have changed substantially during the same period. Mounting evidence has begun to suggest that the Friedman curve may no longer be appropriate for contemporary labor practice. New, evidence-based definitions of labor protraction and arrest are needed. This observational study will:
- Describe contemporary labor progression in the U.S. population; and
- Determine when is the more appropriate time to perform a Cesarean delivery in women with labor protraction and arrest.
In the past several years, the researchers have examined other factors that may affect labor progression and Cesarean delivery, such as induction of labor, maternal obesity, and epidural analgesia for labor pain.
DESPR Collaborators ·
Mark A. Klebanoff, M.D., M.P.H.
·
James F. Troendle, Ph.D.
Selected Publications
Zhang J, Yancey MK, Klebanoff MA, Schwarz J, & Schweitzer D. (2001). Does epidural analgesia prolong labor and increase risk of cesarean delivery? A natural experiment.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 185:128-134. [
Abstract]
Zhang J, Troendle J, & Yancey MK. (2002). Reassessing the labor curve in nulliparous women. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 187:824-828. [Abstract]
Vahratian A, Zhang J, Troendle JF, Savitz DA, & Siega-Riz AM. (2004). Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity and the pattern of labor progression in term nulliparous women. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 104:943-951. [Abstract]
Vahratian A, Zhang J, Troendle JF, Sciscione AC, & Hoffman MK. (2005). Labor progression and risk of cesarean delivery in electively induced nulliparas. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 105:698-704. [Abstract]