What is "partogram"

n. A graphical record of key maternal and fetal data during labour, intended to provide a record of progress and highlight any delay or deviation from normal.

A partogram or partograph is a composite graphical record of key data (maternal and fetal) during labour entered against time on a single sheet of paper. Relevant measurements might include statistics such as cervical dilation, fetal heart rate, duration of labour and vital signs.

It is intended to provide an accurate record of the progress in labour, so that any delay or deviation from normal may be detected quickly and treated accordingly. However, a Cochrane review came to the conclusion that there is insufficient evidence to recommend partograms in standard labour management and care.

Many partograms showing cervical dilation versus time include an alert line. It starts at the position where there is 3 or 4 cm of cervical dilation. It is then continued diagonally at a rate of 1 cm per hour in primigravidae and 1.5 cm in multigravidae. An action line is parallel to the alert line, and is located 4 hours to the right of the alert line.