Dysfunctional labor
Sluggishness in the force of labor (contractions)
Prolonged labor as a result
Also known as inertia
Causes
Problems related to the passenger: fetal malposition or malpresentation or an unusually large fetus
Problems related to passage: pelvic contractures
Problems related to power: uterine contractions that are hypotonic, hypertonic, or uncoordinated
Medications, such as analgesics or anesthetics, given too early during labor
Other conditions, such as a distended bladder or bowel; maternal fatigue, fear, or dyhydration; or multifetal pregnancy.
Signs and symptoms
Hypotonic contractions
Most common during the active phase, resulting in a protracted active phase
Number of contractions usually low or infrequent
May not increase beyond two or three in a 10-minute period
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