The purpose is to review the body of research focusing on the biomechanics of labor and delivery. It describes the forces generated during the different phases of parturition, specifically, how they affect the uterus and are transferred to the fetus. It highlights what can commonly happen to delay progression of labor and delivery.
This review encompasses studies as far back as the 1800’s giving detail to the what we know about the process of contractions and the difficulty in measuring them for a biomechanical model. It describes the differences observed between forces generated during primiparous and multiparous deliveries. One specific maternal position is mentioned which is used to assist delivery by increasing forces. Two prevalent maternal systemic conditions which have a negative impact on labor and delivery are evaluated. Clinician applied forces including manual and instrumental traction are compared to the natural forces of labor. These forces are difficult to measure and are not consistent as each birth is unique. There is a discussion of how interns are trained manually in delivery and how gaining a feel for adequate force during traction is difficult.
Original article by: MICHELE J. GRIMM Annals of Biomedical Engineering, Vol. 49, No. 8, August 2021 ( 2021) pp. 1819–1835
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33432512/
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