The Labor Curve (Partogram/Partograph) That Wasn’t: From Friedman’s Original to a Modern Partograph

For over half a century, one hand-drawn curve dictated how doctors managed labor — and how many women ended up with cesarean deliveries they may never have needed.

From: The ObGyn Intelligence Partograph

For over half a century, one hand-drawn curve dictated how doctors managed labor — and how many women ended up with cesarean deliveries they may never have needed.

A Curve Born on a Single Night

In 1954, a young obstetric resident named Emanuel Friedman spent one night on call at Columbia University recording cervica…