CH 21 Flashcards
Dystocia
difficult birth, typically caused by a large or awkwardly positioned fetus, by smallness of the maternal pelvis, or by failure of the uterus and cervix to contract and expand normally
Risk Factors for Dystocia
-epidural analgesia / excessive analgesia
-multiple gestation
-hydramnios
-maternal exhaustion
-ineffective maternal pushing technique
-occiput posterior position - sunny side up
- longer 1st stage of labor
- nulliparity - no previous births
-short maternal stature
-fetal birth weight over 8.8 lbs
-abnormal fetal presentation/ position
-fetal anomalies
-shoulder dystocia
-maternal age over 35 yrs
-high caffeine intake
-overweight
-gestational age over 41 weeks
-chorioamnionitis - infection in the amniotic sac
-ineffective uterine contractions
-high fetal station at complete cervical dilation
McRoberts Maneuver
opens up the cervix
Suprapubic Pressure Maneuver
push right above it, pushing the shoulders
2 Manuvers we do
- McRoberts
- Suprapubic Pressure
Causes of Dystocia: Problems w/ Powers
- hypertonic uterine dysfunction - contracting TOO MUCH
- hypotonic uterine dysfunction - not contracting enough
- arrest disorders - just STOPS
Causes of Dystocia: Problems w/ Passageway
- pelvic contraction - not enough room to get thru
- obstructions in maternal birth canal - fibroids
Causes of Dystocia: Problems w/ Passenger
- occiput posterior position
- breech presentation
- multifetal pregnancy
- macrosomia and CPD
- structural abnormalities - baby may not be able to come out
Causes of Dystocia: Problems w/ Psyche
psychological distress
What are the P’s affecting labor and birth?
Powers
Passageway
Passenger (positions?)
Psyche
What is Preterm Labor?
-regular uterine contractions w/ cervical effacement and dilation between 20 - 37 weeks gestation
-one of the most common obstetric complications
Preterm Labor Meds:
-tocolytic drugs: no clear first line drugs to manage preterm labor. May prolong pregnancy for 2-7 days while steroids can be given for fetal lung maturity
-give mag sulfate and then give steroids.
-betamethosome shot every 24hrs for lungs.
-Nefedipine (CCB)- tries to relax the uterus but need to be careful if moms BP is already low
-antibiotic prophylaxis for women w/ group B streptococcus (test not done until 36 wks)
Subtle Signs of Preterm Labor
cramping, bleeding, pressure
Contraction Patterns of Preterm Labor
-more than 6 an hr = too much and mom needs to come in
-4 contractions every 20 min
Preterm Labor Labs
- CBC
- urinalysis - UTI = can push mom into prelabor
- amniotic fluid analysis
- fetal fibronectin
- cervical length via transvaginal ultrasound
- home uterine activity monitoring