Friedman’s Curve

Other Known Aliases – none

Definition – graphical representation of an “ideal” labor course based on cervical dilation measurements and progression from the latent and active phase of stage 1 labor to the onset of stage 2 labor

Clinical Significance – This was the first scientific and statistical representation of the progression of labor and allowed obstetricians to better assess laboring mothers.

History – Named after Emmanuel Friedman (1926-), who is an American obstetrician and received his medical doctorate from Columbia University’s College of Physician and Surgeons in 1951 after being drafted into the Navy during World War II.  His seminal paper published in 1954 entitled “The Graphical Analysis of Labor” was born from disappointment and frustration by not being allowed to leave his call post when his wife went into labor with their first child at another hospital.  Although it has been replaced by ACOG in 2016 as a reliable method for labor standards, it still stands a tremendous advancement in obstetrical medicine.

References

1. Firkin BG and Whitwirth JA.  Dictionary of Medical Eponyms. 2nd ed.  New York, NY; Parthenon Publishing Group. 1996.
2. Bartolucci S, Forbis P.  Stedman’s Medical Eponyms.  2nd ed.  Baltimore, MD; LWW.  2005.
3. Yee AJ, Pfiffner P. (2012).  Medical Eponyms (Version 1.4.2) [Mobile Application Software].  Retrieved http://itunes.apple.com.
4. Whonamedit – dictionary of medical eponyms. http://www.whonamedit.com
5. Romero R. A profile of Emanuel A. Friedman, MD, DMedSci. AJOG. 2016; 215(4):413-4. [pubmed]
6. Friedman E. The graphic analysis of labor. AJOG. 1954; 68(6):1568-75. [pubmed]