Publication:

Intrapartum monitoring tools: a comparative analysis of WHO labour care guide versus the modified partograph in low-risk laboring women

Background Traditionally partograph has been used to monitor labour. WHO introduced Labour Care Guide in 2020. The present study was undertaken to compare labour outcomes using the WHO Labour Care Guide (LCG) and the modified WHO partograph. This study aimed to study the WHO LCG and modified partograph in low-risk labouring women.

Methods The study was a hospital based cross sectional randomised study done in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, from 2023 to 2024.  200 low risk labouring women divided into two groups. Group A was monitored using the Labour Care Guide (LCG), whereas Group B was assessed using the WHO modified partograph.

Results The mean duration of active stage of labour was 121.90±44.91 min in Group A and 210.10±45.75 min in Group B. This was the most important observation in the study (p-value <0.001). Oxytocin was used in 10% of subjects in Group A and 37% in Group B. This difference was highly significant (p value <0.001). The caesarean section rate was more in Group B (21% vs 7%) as compared to Group A.

Conclusions The study concluded that the WHO LCG is a safe, effective, and patient-centred alternative to the Modified WHO Partograph for labour monitoring. Its use was associated with a shorter active phase of labour, reduced need for oxytocin augmentation, and lower caesarean section rates without adversely affecting maternal or neonatal outcomes.