MANAGEMENT OF LABOR AND LABOR COMPLICATIONS

Obstetricians assume a dual role in the provision of health care for b oth mother and fetus during labor. Not only do they function as consul tants for medical and surgical problems peculiar to labor, but they al so assume a more broad-based role in the prevention of labor complicat ions to achieve the best possible health maintenance for both patients . This includes the provision of continuous health care throughout pre gnancy, delivery, and postpartum management. A summary of the common p roblems of management of labor and labor complications is provided, in cluding fetal monitoring during labor, augmentation of labor, vaginal delivery after cesarean section, epidural analgesia and its effects on delivery, and fecal incontinence after delivery.