Section 1: Text
1. Nulliparous v parous women
2. Induction v acceleration
3. Malpresentations, malformation, twins
4. Duration of labour
5. Diagnosis of labour
6. Progress: first stage
7. Progress: second stage
8. Acceleration of slow labour
9. Oxytocin in labour
10. Normal and abnormal labour (dystocia)
11. Inefficient uterine action
12. Cephalopelvic disproportion
13. Occipitoposterior position
14. Trauma
15. Pain
16. Antenatal preparation
17. Analgesic drugs
18. Epidural anaesthesia
19. Personal attention
20. Role of the doctor
21. Role of the nurse/midwife
22. Role of the mother
23. Care of the fetus
24. Induction
25. Organization
26. Cervix in labour
27. Caesarean section rates
28. Cerebral palsy


Section II: Visual Records
1. Nulliparous labour
2. Duration of labour
3. Diagnosis of labour
4. Progress in labour
5. Care of the fetus
6. Oxytocin
7. Analgesia
8. Method of delivery and additional items
9. Normal labour (1)
10. Normal labour (2)
11. Normal labour (3)
12. Abnormal labour: slow progress (1)
13. Abnormal labour: slow progress (2)
14. Abnormal labour: slow progress (3)
15. Abnormal labour: secondary arrest (1)
16. Abnormal labour: secondary arrest (2)
17. Method of treatment: artificial rupture of membranes
18. Method of treatment: oxytocin infusion (1)
19. Method of treatment: oxytocin infusion (2)
20. Failure to respond to treatment: error in diagnosis
21. Failure to respond to treatment: membranes intact
22. Failure to respond to treatment: hesitant use of oxytocin
23. Failure to respond to treatment: cephalopelvic disproportion
24. Induction: success
25. Induction: failure (1)
26. Induction: failure (2)
27. Fetal distress: placental insufficiency/accident of labour
28. Parous labour


Section III: Clinical Data
1. Comparative figures for 35 years
2. Analysis of hospital population
3. Clinical circumstances of perinatal deaths
4. Rupture of uterus
5. Traumatic intracranial haemorrhage in firstborn infants
6. Cerebral dysfunction in mature infants
7. Diagnosis of labour
8. Duration of labour in nulliparous women
9. Spontaneously labouring nulliparous women with a single cephalic pregnancy at term
10. Obstetrical norms in nulliparous women

This manual encompasses a comprehensive approach to the management of labour. Based on the simple proposition that effective uterine action is the key to normal delivery, Active Management of Labour covers all aspects of delivery for nulliparous women with vertex presentation and single foetus.

This is an accessible and practical guide for obstericians and midwives as well as anaesthetists and the auxiliary staff of maternity units.

• Encourages an active interest in labour by all professional staff
• Emphasises the importance of constant personal attention and good communication in labour
• Discusses in detail the need to distinguish between: - first and subsequent births - single cephalic and all other pregnancies - induction and acceleration of labour
• Fosters the development of a team
• spirit between midwife and obstetrician
• Demonstrates how good labour ward organisation can improve care
• Proves the importance of audit in ensuring quality of care

Updated chapters on dystocia and caesarian section

New key points summary at the end of each chapter

Updated review of clinical outcomes at the National Maternity Hospital