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  • Instrumental labor

    Labor completed by mechanical means, such as the use of forceps. The baby is delivered using midwifery forceps.  

  • Hypotonic labor

    Condition in which fewer than one to three contractions occur within 10 min. Hypotonicity usually occurs after the woman has entered the active phase of labor and most often is related to uterine overdistention, fetal macrosomia, multiple pregnancy, or grand multiparity.  

  • Hypertonic labor

    Condition in which frequent, painful, but poor-quality contractions fail to accomplish effective cervical effacement and dilation. Hypertonicity usually occurs in the latent phase of labor and most often is related to fetal malpresentation and cephalopelvic disproportion.  

  • Dysfunctional labor

    Abnormal progress of dilation and/or descent of the presenting part.  

  • Dry labor

    A colloquial and imprecise term for labor associated with extensive loss of amniotic fluid related to premature rupture of membranes. A birth where due to the mismatch between the baby’s head and the birth canal, the amniotic fluid, which surrounds the baby in the womb, has been depleted.  

  • Complicated labor

    Labor occurring with an accompanying abnormal condition such as hemorrhage or inertia.  

  • Back labor

    Labor involving malposition of the fetal head with the occiput opposing the mother’s sacrum. The laboring woman experiences severe back pain.  

  • Arrested labor

    Failure of labor to proceed through the normal stages. This may be due to uterine inertia, obstruction of the pelvis, or systemic disease.  

  • Active labor

    Regular uterine contractions that result in increasing cervical dilation and descent of the presenting part. This encompasses the active phase of stage 1, as well as stages 2 and 3 of labor.  

  • Labiogingival

    Concerning the lips and gums or referring to the labial and gingival surfaces of a tooth.  

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