The Friedman curve defines active phase arrest in a nullipara as lack of cervical dilation for how many hours at ≥6 cm with adequate contractions and ruptured membranes?

• A 2 hours
• B 6 hours
• C 8 hours
• D 4 hours ✓

Explanation

The updated ACOG/SMFM (2014) consensus guidelines, revising the older Friedman criteria, define active phase arrest as no cervical change for ≥4 hours with adequate contractions (≥200 Montevideo units) or ≥6 hours with inadequate contractions and oxytocin augmentation, at ≥6 cm dilation with ruptured membranes. The previous threshold of 2 hours was considered too short. This revision significantly reduced unnecessary cesarean sections for labour dystocia. The active phase is now considered to begin at 6 cm (not 4 cm as in Friedman's original curve).

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.