ABNORMAL LABOR Flashcards
What does dystocia refer to?
“Dystocia refers to difficult labor
What are the three primary causes of dystocia?
“The three primary causes are abnormalities of the
1. powers (uterine contractility and maternal effort)
2. passenger—the fetus;
3. passage, the pelvis and lower reproductive tract.
What is the term used to describe obstructed labor due to a disparity between fetal head size and the maternal pelvis?
“Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD).”
What does the term ‘failure to progress’ in labor refer to?
“Failure to progress refers to lack of progressive cervical dilation or halted fetal descent during labor.”
What fetal characteristics are common causes of dystocia?
“Fetal characteristics include abnormal presentation (face
What maternal characteristics increase the risk of dystocia?
“Maternal characteristics include nulliparity
What is uterine dysfunction?
“Uterine dysfunction refers to insufficient or uncoordinated uterine contractions that prevent cervical dilation and fetal descent during labor.”
What are the two types of uterine dysfunction?
“The two types are hypotonic uterine dysfunction
What risk factors contribute to uterine dysfunction?
“Risk factors include neuraxial analgesia
What is the definition of a prolonged latent phase of labor?
“A prolonged latent phase is defined as greater than 20 hours in nulliparas and greater than 14 hours in multiparas.”
How is the diagnosis of uterine dysfunction in the latent phase typically made?
“The diagnosis of uterine dysfunction in the latent phase is often made retrospectively
What are the criteria for diagnosing protraction disorder in active-phase labor?
“Protraction disorder is diagnosed when cervical dilation is less than 1 cm per hour for at least 4 hours during active labor.”
What defines active-phase arrest?
“Active-phase arrest is defined as no cervical dilation for 2 hours or more
What is the recommended threshold for diagnosing active labor in current guidelines?
“The recommended threshold for diagnosing active labor is 6 cm of cervical dilation.”
How does the new definition of active labor differ from previous standards?
“The new definition proposes 6 cm as the threshold for active labor
How does oxytocin augmentation affect labor progress?
“Oxytocin augmentation typically increases uterine activity
What is the second-stage labor limit for nulliparas with regional analgesia?
“The second-stage labor limit for nulliparas with regional analgesia is typically extended to 3 hours.”
How do newer guidelines modify second-stage labor duration?
“Newer guidelines recommend a maximum of 3 hours for nulliparas and 2 hours for multiparas in second-stage labor
Why is it difficult to determine a maximal time for second-stage labor?
“There is no robust data supporting a specific maximal time beyond which all women should undergo operative delivery
How did the change in cervical dilation thresholds impact cesarean rates?
“Despite the change in cervical dilation thresholds to 6 cm
What is a key concern with allowing prolonged second-stage labor?
“The key concern is that prolonged second-stage labor may increase maternal morbidity
How common is membrane rupture at term without spontaneous uterine contractions?
It complicates approximately 8 percent of pregnancies.
What management strategy was found to be preferred for labor induction with ruptured membranes at term?
Intravenous oxytocin was preferred over expectant management.
What is the benefit of prophylactic antibiotics in women with ruptured membranes before labor at term?
The benefit is unclear, but antibiotics are given for group B streptococcal infection if membranes are ruptured for more than 18 hours.
What is precipitous labor?
Precipitous labor is labor that terminates in expulsion of the fetus in less than 3 hours.
Which factors increase the risk of uterine rupture or extensive lacerations during precipitous labor?
Vigorous uterine contractions, a long, firm cervix, and a noncompliant birth canal increase the risk.
What are common complications for the neonate during precipitous labor?
Trauma, intracranial injury, and lack of appropriate fetal oxygenation.
What is the main cause of fetal intracranial injury in precipitous labor?
Resistance of the birth canal can cause intracranial injury.
What is the main treatment for precipitous labor when there is a nonreassuring fetal heart rate pattern?
A single intramuscular 250-ug dose of terbutaline may be given, balancing the risk of uterine atony if delivery is imminent.
What is the most common cause of fetopelvic disproportion?
Fetopelvic disproportion arises from diminished pelvic capacity or abnormal fetal size, structure, presentation, or position.
What is considered a contracted pelvic inlet?
A contracted pelvic inlet is when the anteroposterior diameter is less than 10 cm or the transverse diameter is less than 12 cm.
How is the obstetrical conjugate measured?
It is approximated by measuring the diagonal conjugate, which is about 1.5 cm greater.