The partograph is a graphical record used to monitor labor. It was originally developed in the 1950s and has since been refined. The modern WHO partograph monitors maternal and fetal conditions including cervical dilation, fetal position, and uterine contractions. It uses alert and action lines to indicate abnormal labor progress. When the alert line is crossed, extra vigilance is needed and crossing the action line requires medical intervention such as augmentation or cesarean delivery. Using the partograph can reduce complications from prolonged labor by facilitating early detection and management of issues.