Labour Dystocia 

Abnormally prolonged labor, or labor dystocia, is a common complication of parturition. It is the indication for about half of unplanned cesarean deliveries in low-risk nulliparous women. Reducing the rate of unplanned cesarean birth in high income countries has been a public health priority over the last two decades with limited success. Labor dystocia is a complex disorder due to multiple causes with a common clinical outcome of slow cervical dilation and fetal descent. A better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of labor dystocia could lead to new clinical opportunities to increase the rate of normal vaginal delivery, reduce cesarean birth rates, and improve maternal and neonatal health.

Cluster member, Dr. Andrew Kotaska, is a generalist obstetrician/gynecologist in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. He has academic appointments as Assistant and Adjunct Professor with the Depts. of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Universities of Manitoba’s and Toronto, and as Adjunct Professor with the UBC School of Population and Public Health. View Dr. Kotaska's presentation on the right-hand menu.