Back to Search Results

7/1/2019

Management of Active Phase Arrest

In order to manage active phase arrest, the active phase must be correctly defined, and arrest properly diagnosed. The active phase begins when there is an acceleration in the rate of cervical dilation. Friedman proposed that this period began after achieving 4 cm of cervical dilation. More recent studies that incorporate modern labor management practices support defining the active phase as beginning at 6 cm of cervical dilation.

In response to the high rate of cesarean delivery in the United States, the Safe Labor Consortium was formed to evaluate contemporary labor progression. The Safe Labor Consortium redefined arrest of the active phase of labor as occurring at 6 cm or more, with the amniotic membranes ruptured, and no cervical change after either:

• 4 hours of adequate contractions
• 6 hours of inadequate contractions despite oxytocin administration

Cesarean delivery for arrest of the active phase should not be performed before the above criteria are met, as long as maternal and fetal status are reassuring. The presence of meconium stained amniotic fluid does not change these recommendations.

Inadequate uterine contractions are the most common cause of active phase arrest, followed by fetal malpresentation, and less frequently, cephalopelvic disproportion.

When there is concern that cervical change has stopped or slowed, amniotomy and oxytocin augmentation may be employed. Amniotomy should be performed if the fetal membranes are intact. If the contraction pattern is abnormal, the first line therapy is intravenous oxytocin. Low and high dose protocols have been studied but neither has been proven to be superior to the other. The combination of oxytocin and amniotomy has been shown to be more effective than either modality alone.

Internal tocodynamometry using an intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) should be considered when there is no progress despite a normal contraction pattern and/or oxytocin administration. The IUPC can be used to quantify the magnitude of contractions in Montevideo units. A contraction pattern is considered adequate when the sum of the Montevideo units from all contractions in a 10-minute period is greater than or equal to 200. If the Montevideo units are less than 200, the oxytocin infusion rate may need to be titrated to increase the frequency and/or magnitude of contractions. An IUPC may also be helpful when assessment of the contraction pattern using an external monitor is challenging or inaccurate.

If these efforts fail and active phase arrest is diagnosed, cesarean delivery should be recommended. Prolonged labor and rupture of membranes are risk factors for maternal and neonatal infection, and prolonged labor and oxytocin administration are risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage. However, studies have demonstrated that following the above described management strategy decreases the rate of cesarean delivery without worsening maternal or neonatal outcomes.

 

Further Readings:

Zhang J, Landy HJ, Ware Branch D, et al.; Consortium on Safe Labor. Contemporary patterns of spontaneous labor with normal neonatal outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Dec;116(6):1281-1287. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181fdef6e. PMID: 21099592; PMCID: PMC3660040.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (College); Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Caughey AB, Cahill AG, Guise JM, Rouse DJ. Safe prevention of the primary cesarean delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar;210(3):179-93. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.01.026. PMID: 24565430.

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 766: Approaches to Limit Intervention During Labor and Birth. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Feb;133(2):e164-e173. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000003074. PMID: 30575638.

Initial Approval July 2019. Reaffirmed March 2021. Revised September 2022

 

********** Notice Regarding Use ************

The Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inc. (“SASGOG”) is committed to accuracy and will review and validate all Pearls on an ongoing basis to reflect current practice.

This document is designed to aid practitioners in providing appropriate obstetric and gynecologic care. Recommendations are derived from major society guidelines and high-quality evidence when available, supplemented by the opinion of the author and editorial board when necessary. It should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure to be followed.

Variations in practice may be warranted when, in the reasonable judgment of the treating clinician, such course of action is indicated by the condition of the patient, limitations of available resources, or advances in knowledge or technology. SASGOG reviews the articles regularly; however, its publications may not reflect the most recent evidence. While we make every effort to present accurate and reliable information, this publication is provided “as is” without any warranty of accuracy, reliability, or otherwise, either express or implied. SASGOG does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse the products or services of any firm, organization, or person. Neither SASGOG nor its respective officers, directors, members, employees, or agents will be liable for any loss, damage, or claim with respect to any liabilities, including direct, special, indirect, or consequential damages, incurred in connection with this publication or reliance on the information presented.

Copyright 2022 The Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inc. All rights reserved. No re-print, duplication or posting allowed without prior written consent.

 

Back to Search Results