Prolonged and Obstructed Labor
Participant
Course content

Course by
Introduction
The Prolonged and Obstructed Labor (P&OL) course is designed to reduce maternal and newborn deaths related to prolonged or obstructed labor. You will learn how to assess, monitor, and support women whose labor is not progressing normally, or those who experience difficulties in labor. For example, abnormal presentation or position of the baby, ineffective contractions, and shoulder dystocia. P&OL is currently available in pilot version for testing.
- To participate in this course you need to first receive an invitation from a facilitator. Please follow guidance from your facilitator.
- Hands-on skills practice is essential for the course.
- In this page you will find the information and resources you need to participate in the course.
Learning materials
The course materials are currently available in a pilot version as PDFs.

Action Plan
The Action Plan will guide during the course. After the course, keep it visible in your facility to help you remember what you have learned.

Provider Guide
Coming soon. This guide will help you continue practicing and improve the quality of care.
Equipment
During practice of Prolonged and Obstructed Labor you will need:
- Action Plan
- Pregnancy wheels or calendars
- Pens/pencils, paper, blank partographs,
and/or client records/labor
documentation tool, referral forms - BP machine – 1 per 2 learners
- Stethoscope – 1 per 2 learners
- Thermometer
- Birth simulator with newborn model
- Gloves (clean and sterile)
- Fetoscope/Doppler and ultrasound gel
- Measuring tape
- Soap or alcohol based hand rub
- Towels, baby hat, and blanket
- Scissors or blade
- Hemostats, clamps, ties for cord
- Basin for placenta
- Personal protection for provider
- Mock oxytocin, misoprostol, ampicillin,
gentamicin, betamimetics, rubbing
alcohol, syringes and needles - IV giving set., tourniquet, and fluids
(normal saline, Ringer’s Lactate,
5% glucose) - IV pump, if available
- Indwelling catheter with collection bag
- Suction device for baby
- Ventilation bag and mask for baby
- Clock/watch with second hand
- Gauze
Sustainable practice

Regular practice reinforces new knowledge and skills. Practice also develops skills and improves teamwork and clinical decision-making. Ask your facilitator for exercises and tips to continue simulation practice at your facility.
About Jhpiego
This course was developed by Jhpiego, an organization that creates and delivers transformative health care solutions that save lives. They believe that where people live should not determine if they live. In partnership with national governments, health experts and local communities, Jhpiego builds health providers’ skills and develops systems that save lives now and guarantee healthier futures for women and their families. Jhpiego’s dedicated team of technical experts in human resource development; maternal and newborn health; monitoring, evaluation and research; in concert with global partners has brought the HMS suite of training materials forth to improve quality of care at birth.