hypertonic labor


hy·per·ton·ic la·bor

(hī'pĕr-ton'ik lā'bŏr) Labor in which the uterus does not relax between contractions and general myometrial spasm prevents expulsion of the fetus.

hypertonic labor

A condition in which frequent, painful, but poor-quality contractions fail to accomplish effective cervical effacement and dilation. Hypertonicity usually occurs in the latent phase of labor and most often is related to fetal malpresentation and cephalopelvic disproportion. See also: labor