Intrapartum Care: Normal Labour Flashcards
What 2 drugs can be used to induce labour
Prostaglandins
Oxytocin
What should be checked 30m before and after giving prostaglandins
CTG
After how long can a second dose of prostaglandins be given
6h
Can oxytocin be started with prostaglandins and why
No. Wait 6h - otherwise causes hyperstimulation
Explain giving oxytocin to induce labour
Oxytocin should be started at lowest dose and gradually increases to given 3-4 contractions in 10 minutes.
What should a patient be on if oxytocin
Continuous CTG monitoring
What should be checked if oxytocin is used for more than 12h and why
U+E. Oxytocin has ADH features and hence can cause dilutional hyponatraemia
Define failure to progress
<2cm dilation in 4h first stage labour
What is dysfunctional labour
Individual has poor labour from offset
Define secondary arrest
individual has initial good progress which then ceases
Define labour
regular, increasing and efficient uterine contractions
What proceeds labour
show
What is a show
cervical mucus as membranes rip from the OS
How is labour divided
First stage
Second stage
Third stage
How long does the first stage take in a primip
8-18h
How long does the first stage take in a multip
5-12h
What does the first stage of labour involve
Dilation of cervix from 0-10cm
How can the first-stage of labour be divided
- Latent phase
2. Established phase
What are 2 features of latent phase of labour
- Irregular contractions
- Cervix dilates to 4cm
What is the established phase of labour
- Cervix dilates 4-10cm
- Effacement
- Regular contractions
What rate does cervix dilate in established phase
<0.5cm/hour
What are 3 clinical features of stage I labour
Bloody Show
Cervical dilation
SROM
What is second stage labour
From cervical dilation (10cm) to delivery
How long is second stage in nulliparous
3h
If delivery is not imminent in nulliparous women in what time frame should an obstetrician be called
2h
How long is second stage in multiparous and when should obstetrician be called
2h. Call if not imminent in 1h
How can second stage be divided
Passive
Active
What is passive stage of labour
Cervix dilated to 10cm
Mother has no urge to push
Baby remains high in pelvic
What may increase duration passive stage of labour
Epidural
How long may epidural increase passive stage by
1-2h
What is the active phase of labour
Maternal urge to push
What is a mnemonic to remember stages of labour (1+2)
LEPA
What are the sub categories of stage 1 and 2 labour
Latent phase
Established phase
Passive stage
Active stage
What is stage 3 labour
From delivery of foetus to delivery of placenta
How long does stage 3 labour usually take
1h
What happens to the uterus post-delivery
returns to pre-24w size
If the uterus does not return to normal size what may it indicate
choriocarcinoma
Explain separation of placenta
Contraction uterus impedes venous return causing congestion of blood;
Retroplacental clot causes placenta to seperate
What are alvarez waves
low intensity, high-frequency contractions that occur after 20W
What are braxton hicks contractions
high intensity contractions that happen after 20W - usually lasting 1-minute
In what time frame may false labour occur
3-4W pre-term
What is false labour
Irregular contractions of moderate intensity - not increasing in frequency or intensity. No cervical changes
What is used to manage false labour
Analgesia
What time frame does pre-labour occur
3-4d before term
What is pre-labour
irregular contractions of high-intensity occurring every 5-10m
What is the role of pre-labour
position head
What is the rate of contractions in labour
3-4 in 10 minutes
What is measured every 15m during first stage labour
Foetal HR, unless on CTG
What is check every 30m in first stage labour
Contractions: strength and frequency
What is the ideal rate of contractions
3-4 in 10m
What is checked every 60m in first stage labour
Maternal HR
What is checked every 4h in labour first stage
Maternal BP and T
What is checked every 1h in second-stage labour
Maternal pulse and BP
What is checked every 4h in second-stage labour
Maternal Temp
What is checked every 30m in second-stage labour
Contractions
Why may pressure be applied over perineum in second stage
To prevent precipitated delivery= childbirth after rapid labour, which leads to expulsion of the infant and risk intracranial haemorrhage
How long is cord clamping delayed
1m
If a premature baby how long is cord clamping delayed
3m