Chapter 33-Obstetric and Neonatal Emergencies Flashcards
What should you do once you see the head coming out?
Place your hand on the bony part of the skull and guide it out to make sure that the body doesn’t pop out with a sudden contraction
How can you reduce the risk of perineal tear?
Applying even pressure across the perineum with a gauze
What do you do if the amniotic sac has not ruptured by the time the baby is crowning?
Rupture it and pull it away from the baby’s face
What should you pay attention to regarding the amniotic fluid?
Whether it smells bad or is greenish
What does greenish/foul smelling amniotic fluid a sign of?
Meconium (poop)
How do you handle a nuchal cord?
Try to gently remove it from around the baby’s neck and if you can’t then clamp it two inches apart and cut it. If you must do this, then try to expedite the delivery because the baby is no longer receiving O2 from the mother and must start breathing on its own
What happens during ovulation?
Hormones trigger the release of an egg and for two weeks the lining of the uterus thickens to prepare for the implantation of a fertilized egg
What is the term for the lining of the uterus?
Endometrium
What happens if no fertilized egg is implanted in the uterus?
Menstruation, shedding of the endometrium
What is the baby called for the first 10 weeks of pregnancy?
Embryo
What is the baby called for weeks 10-delivery?
Fetus
What is the uterus?
A muscular organ that encloses and protects the developing fetus and produces contractions that push the baby through the birth canal during labor
What structures comprise the birth canal?
vagina and the lower 1/3 of the uterus (cervix)
What is a bloody show?
There is a mucous plug at the base of the uterus that protects the developing baby from contamination, and during delivery it is discharged from the uterus via the vagina as a pink mucus
Why are pregnant women more susceptible to falls?
Their joints are looser due to hormonal changes and the added weight of the fetus
Why are the signs of shock delayed in pregnant women?
They have increased blood volume so they can loose more blood before their body shows signs of shock
How much amniotic fluid is contained in the amniotic sac?
500-1,000 mL
What does the amniotic fluid do for the fetus?
Protects and insulates the fetus
What does the rupture of the amniotic sac during labor accomplish?
Lubricates the birth canal and removes bacteria
How do you time contractions?
Start at the beginning of one and end at the beginning of the next one
What are postpartum complications?
emboli (especially pumonary emboli)
What causes the increased of risk of emboli following childbirth?
bed rest and blood clots
How soon after childbirth can emboli develop?
days to months
What is the first stage of labor?
Dilation of the cervix; begins with onset of contractions and ends with complete dilation of cervix
What is the second stage of labor?
Delivery fetus; starts when fetus encounters birth canal and ends with delivery of the fetus
What is the third stage of labor?
Delivery of the placenta; starts with the birth of the child and ends with delivery of the placenta
What is it called when the baby’s bottom is delivered first instead of the head?
Breech delivery
What do you do for a limb presentation?
Cover it with a towel and transport quickly
