4.7   Uterine contractions

You already know that good uterine contractions are necessary for good progress of labour (Study Session 2). Normally, contractions become more frequent and last longer as labour progresses. Contractions are recorded every 30 minutes on the partograph in their own section, which is below the hour/time rows. At the left hand side is written ‘Contractions per 10 mins’ and the scale is numbered from 1–5. Each square represents one contraction, so that if two contractions are felt in 10 minutes, you should shade two squares.

On each shaded square, you will also indicate the duration of each contraction by using the symbols shown in Figure 4.7.

Figure 4.7  Different shading on the squares you draw on the partograph indicates the strength and duration of contractions.