Labor Progress: The Great Divide

Has every one enjoyed the spirited exchange between Drs Friedman and Cohen versus Drs Zhang and Troendle et al on labor assessment? They each discuss two separate but related concepts in AJOG over the past few months.

One concept pertains to defining the general path of dilation in labor and the other relates to defining safe limits. Rumor has it there will be a third commentary soon on the safe duration of second stage. By the titles you can surmise the somewhat caustic nature of the Friedman Cohen pieces. Our profession is a transition phase itself as it sorts its way through these changing ideas on labor. These short articles are informative and entertaining.

Misguided guidelines for managing labor. Cohen WR, Friedman EA.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Jun;212(6):753.e1-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.04.012. Epub 2015 Apr 17

Perils of the new labor management guidelines. Cohen WR, Friedman EA. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Apr;212(4):420-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2014.09.008. Epub 2014 Sep 16. Review

Statistical aspects of modeling the labor curve. Zhang J, Troendle J, Grantz KL, Reddy UM. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Jun;212(6):750.e1-4

Any comments?