Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

While most women have normally progressing labours during childbirth, up to 37% of women experience a prolonged or slow progression that requires medical intervention (Kjærgaard et al., 2009). Clinical practice guidelines have been put forth by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Ottawa Hospital on the management of slowly progressing labours, in order to improve outcomes for both women and their unborn children (Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, 1995; Sprague et al., 2006). These guidelines could potentially lower the use of certain medical interventions, such as cesarean deliveries. However, it is uncertain if they are currently being followed in clinical settings in British Columbia. This study proposes to investigate if these guidelines are being followed in British Columbia and to determine the risk factors that are associated with slowly progressing labour during childbirth.