9.1 Onset of Labour Flashcards
The first stage of labour goes from what until what?
from onset of labour (true contractions) to 10cm cervical dilatation
The second stage of labour goes from what until what?
from 10cm cervical dilatation until delivery of the baby
The third stage of labour goes from what until what?
from delivery of the baby until delivery of the placenta
What is cervical effacement and dilatation?
getting thinner and opening up (first stage)
What is the “show” ?
the mucous plug in the cervix falling out (creates space for the baby to pass through)
How many phases are there in the first stage of labour?
3 phases in the 1st stage
What are the 3 phases of the first stage of labour called?
Latent phase
Active phase
Transition phase
What happens in the Latent phase?
cervix opens from 0-3cm at 0.5cm/hr irregular contractions (painful)
What happens in the active phase?
cervix opens from 3cm- 7cm at 1cm/hr
regular contractions
What happens in the transition phase?
cervix opens from 7cm- 10cm at 1cm/hr
regular and strong contractions
What are Braxton-Hicks contractions?
occasional, irregular contraction during the second and third trimester (temporary cramping / tightening)
do not indicate on set of labour (and do not progress or become regular)
stay hydrated and relaxing can help
What are 4 signs of labour / onset of labour?
- show (mucous plug of cervix)
- rupture of membranes
- regular, painful contractions
- dilating cervix on examination
NICE guidelines, what constitutes a latent first stage?
- painful contractions
- effacement and dilatation up to 4cm
(different from latent phase)
NICE guidelines, what constitutes an established first stage?
- regular painful contractions
- dilated cervix 4cm and above
