ABSTRACT
The definition of precipitate labour varies depending on geographical location. In the UK, midwifery texts have defined precipitate labour as an interval of one hour or less between the onset of labour and delivery. The International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FIGO) describes precipitate labour as 1 hour or less from 3 cm cervical dilatation to delivery for primigravid women, and half an hour or less for multiparous women. More recently, the RCOG in its guidelines has adopted two hours as the cut-off point, in line with the definition most commonly used in the USA. Several countries in the Middle East use three hours or less from the start of uterine contractions until delivery as their definition. In many definitions the inclusion of the third stage is not clearly stated.
