This handbook was designed as a portable reference to help midwives, physicians, nurses, doulas and anyone else in healthcare spot and treat seriously prolonged labour.

What does this book cover?

The Labor Progress Handbook: Early Interventions to Prevent and Treat Dystocia gives you everything you need to detect and diagnose dystocia – dangerously prolonged labour. It also presents a range of non-invasive therapeutic interventions which can treat dystocia or even prevent it from occurring. It is perfect for novices, but will also be a handy field or desk guide for experts.

This new edition, first published in 2017, contains content on:

• Using epidurals to reduce or eliminate dystocia
• Exploration of the human microbiome
• Counselling measures midwives can use to ease the concerns of mothers who have had traumatic births in the past
• Well organised, practically-oriented instructions for the clinician

About the Authors  

Ruth Ancheta is a doula trainer approved by DONA. Professor Lisa Hanson teaches at Marquette University, where she is Director of the College of nursing’s midwifery Program. Penny Simkin is a Senior Faculty Member at Bastyr university’s Simkin Center for Allied Birth Vocations.

This book was designed to see students and new practitioners through their first encounters with dystocia, and to help old pros adapt their practice to use the latest techniques.