Abstract
Objective: To analyze whether the adequate application of the partograph influences the rate of cesarean sections, as well as to discuss its importance in choosing the mode of delivery, including possible benefits of using this instrument in the monitoring of labor and to evaluate the quality of delivery care in places where the partogram is applied regularly and correctly. Bibliographic review: It is a narrative review about the use of the partogram and its impact on the number of cesarean sections. Even though its use is widely recommended by the WHO, its practice has shown to have a greater impact in developing countries, where there is evidence that adequate use of partogram can decrease the rate of cesarean sections, fact not observed in health service regions with greater economic resources. Final considerations: It was not possible to definitively establish a relationship between the decrease in cesarean section rates and the use of the partogram. The inconclusive results points to differences related to the location of the application of the partogram, requiring more data to confirm its relevance as a tool that contributes to reduce the number of cesarean sections performed.