Intrapartum Care Flashcards
Labor
Physiologic process in which a fetus is expelled from the uterus
T/F: a woman is not in labor until the contractions bring about demonstrable effacement and dilation of the cervix
True
Dilation
How open the internal os is
Complete dilation
10 cm
Effacement
Difference between the internal and external os
Thinning of the cervix
Station
Degree of descent of the presenting part of the fetus measured in cm from the ischial spines
Amount of station
-4: 4 cm above the ischial spine
0: at the level of the ischial spine
+4: 4 cm below the ischial spine
In order to diagnose labor, there must be __
Cervical change
Braxton Hicks contractions
Contractions without cervical change
Ways to diagnose labor
Ferning
pH measurement of fluid (nitrazine test)
Presence of amniotic pooling in the vagina
US to measure amniotic fluid index
Spontaneous rupture of membranes
Rupture of membranes during labor
Premature rupture of membranes
Rupture of membranes before the onset of labor
When are women screened for group B strep?
35 weeks
If the group B strep swab is positive?
PCN
If PCN allergy, give vanc
When should a woman be treated even if her group B strep swab comes back negative?
Group B strep has been colonized in a urine culture
Previous OB hx of group B strep or neonatal sepsis
Stages of labor
Stage 1: from onset of labor to complete cervical dilation
Stage 2: from complete cervical dilation to expulsion of fetus
Stage 3: from delivery of infant to delivery of placenta
Stage 4: from delivery of placenta to 1 hour postpartum
Friedman’s labor curve
Good guideline for expected progression in labor but is not used as frequently anymore
Duration of labor for nulliparous vs multiparous
Nulli: 10-12 hours
Multi: 6-8 hours
Latent phase of first stage of labor
From onset of labor with slow cervical dilation to 4 cm
Active phase of first stage of labor
From 4 cm to complete dilation
Protracted dilation
Taking longer to dilate
Arrest of descent
Baby is not coming down into the pelvis
Factors affecting stages of active labor
Power: uterine contractions are poor or uncontrolled
Passenger: fetus’s head and its ability to pass through the birth canal
Pelvis: mom’s pelvis is too small for the fetus to pass
Breech
Baby’s head is up and not in the pelvis where it should be
A c-section is recommended for all babies over ___, or ___ if the mother is diabetic
5000 g; 4500 g
Fetal variables that can affect labor
Fetal presentation
Degree of flexion or extension of the neck
Relationship between the fetal presenting part to the right or left side of the birth canal
Number of fetuses
Presence of fetal anomalies
Fetal presentation
What part of the baby is entering the pelvis first
In vertex position, ___ is the reference point, and in breech position, ___ is the reference point
Occiput; sacrum
Diagnosis of fetal presentation and position
Leopold maneuvers
Vaginal exam
US
Leopold maneuvers
Abdominal palpation to determine fetal lie, weight estimate, position, and presentation
T/F: any position other than vertex usually results in a c-section
True
A ___ pelvic outlet is an indication for c-section
Small
Cephalopelvic disproportion
Passenger is too large for the pelvis
How can activity be assessed?
Observation
Palpation of the fundus
External tocodynamometry
IUPC (intrauterine pressure catheter)
What is considered adequate labor?
3-5 contractions in a 10 minute period
If labor is not progressing…
Insert IUPC to adequately monitor contraction
If under 200 MVU in 10 minutes, then start Pitocin
How to intervene to increase the force of already present contractions
Pitocin
Artificial rupture of membranes
Induction of labor
Attempt to begin labor in a non-laboring patient
Ideal time to deliver baby
39 weeks (ARRIVE trial)
Indications to induce labor
Multiple gestation
Maternal HTN, DM, HIV
H/O fetal demise or PROM
CI to induce labor
Placenta previa and vasa previa
Transverse fetal lie
Umbilical cord prolapse
Prior c-section
Active herpes lesion
Prior myomectomy
Bishop score
6 or less: unfavorable outcomes
Over 8: probable success
Methods to induce labor
Cervidil
Cytotec
Characteristics of Cervidil
Removable device
12 hours
Expensive
Characteristics of Cytotec
Tablet
4 hours
Cheap
T/F prostaglandins used for cervical ripening increase the likelihood of delivery within 24 hours
True
Balloon catheter (Cook)
Gently helps cervix ripen w/o causing overstimulation