A guide for midwives

• An incorrect diagnosis of labour can lead to unnecessary anxiety and interventions

If the diagnosis "start of labour" is made erroneously, the result may be unnecessary interventions, such as amniotomy or oxytocin infusions. The diagnosis "prolonged latent phase" is usually better substituted by "false labour", because actually labour has not yet started.


• indications of vaginal examination in the first stage of labour:

• ROM in active labour
• request for pain relief
• significant change in maternal and fetal status e.g.: non-reassuring CTG, urge to push and increased bloody show
• patient reassurance