1.2 - Excessive Uterine Activity

Question 1

Define the types of excessive uterine activity and describe the midwife’s role when identifying and managing each type:

Answer 1

• slow or discontinue oxytocin infusion
• position the woman on her left side
• consider increasing infusion rate in the main line
• notify the carer
• prepare for a possible c-section if FHR does not return to baseline
• consider tocolysis iv nitroglucerin
• terbutaline 250ug
• palpate the uterus to assessment the uterine response
• if intrauterine resuscitation is successful restart the oxytocin infusion at the half the dose

Question 2

Describe the terms: hypertonus and tachysystole

Answer 2

• results in decelerations in the FHR
• +/- other signs of fetal compromise
• tachsystole - an abnormally rapid rate of muscle contractions 5:10
• hypertonus - A condition in which frequent, painful, but poor-quality contractions fail to accomplish effective cervical effacement and dilation. lasting more 2 minutes, insufficient resting time

Question 3

Describe uterine hyperstimulation

Answer 3

• complication that can occur with excessive use of Pitocin during labor.
• Pitocin is a medication administered to pregnant women to induce or speed up labor.
• It is a synthetic form of oxytocin – the hormone a mother’s body produces naturally during labor.