Intrapartum (First stage of labour) Flashcards
What marks the end of the 1st stage of labour?
When the patient is fully dilated and effaced
What happens to a patient’s cardiac output during labour?What does it result in?
It increases resulting in improved blood flow to the uteroplacental unit and the maternal kidneys
What pulse rate is considered fetal bradycardia?
Anything less than 110bpm for more than 10min
How does an upright position (walking, sitting, kneeling, squatting) aid in delivery?
Gravity helps!
Stronger but more efficient contractions (helps with dilation and effacement)
Improved cardiac output
What should we do to in terms of helping patient positioning during labour?
Encourage to help her find positions that make her comfortable!!!
What occurs during the active phase during the first stage of labour?
there is more rapid dilation of the cervix and increased rate of descent of the presenting part.
What happens to fetal respiration during labour? What changes occur?
Chemoreceptors are stimulated in the aorta and carotid artery to prepare the fetus for initiating respirations. Changes that occur include:
1.) Fluid is cleared from the air passages as the newborn passes through the birth canal during labour
2.) Fetal oxygen pressure (Po2) decreases
3.) Arterial carbon dioxide pressure (Pco2) increases
4.) Arterial pH decreases
5.) Bicarbonate level decreases
6.) Fetal respiratory movements decrease during labour
What causes FHR late deceleration attributed to?
Attributed to uteroplacental insufficiency
What are secondary powers?
The labouring patient experience an involuntary urge to push (The patient uses the secondary powers (bearing-down effort) to aid in expulsion of the fetus as they contract their diaphragm and abdominal muscles and pushes
(Secondary powers have no effect on cervical dilation, but they are of considerable importance in the expulsion of the newborn from the uterus and vagina after the cervix is fully dilated)
how many cm is the cervix dialated in the 1st stage of Active labour?
4-10cm dilated
What is the first thing we must do if we detect fetal bradycardia?
Confirm the maternal pulse to differentiate it from the fetal heart rate as fetal bradycardia Raley occurs
What affects fetal circulation during labour?
Affected by maternal position, contractions, BP, and umbilical cord flow
-Uterine contraction during labour tend to decrease circulation through spiral arteriols and subsequent perfusion through the intervillous space
What can fetal bradycardia be caused by?
Fetal cardiac problems (Structure defects or heart failure)
Infection
Maternal hypoglycemia
Maternal hypothermia
What respiratory changes occur to the mother during labour?
-Increase in respiratory rate and oxygen consumption
(Hyperventilation may cause respiratory alkalosis (an increase in pH), hypoxia, and hypocapnia (decrease in carbon dioxide). In the unmedicated labouring patient in the second stage, oxygen consumption almost doubles)
What occurs during the internal rotation/what is the baby doing (one of the cardinal fetal movements)
-Rotation of the head
(4th cardinal movement)
What is fetal bradycardia not specifically related to?
Fetal oxygen
What is occurring during the expulsion movement? (cardinal movement)
-The baby has completely immerged
(FINAL 7th cardinal movement)
What do we assess for vaginal discharge? (blood show)
C: color
O: odor
A: amount
T: time
What pulse rate is considered fetal tachycardia?
Anything greater than 160bpm for more than 10min
What changes occur to the mothers Endocrine system during labour?
The onset of labour may be triggered by decreasing levels of progesterone and increasing levels of estrogen, prostaglandins, and oxytocin
Metabolism increases, and blood glucose levels may decrease with the work of labour (Patients who are diabetic require close monitoring of glucose levels during labour)
In terms of Ambulation, what should we encourage the mother to do during labour?
Encourage and support movement and changing positions :
-walking
-Swaying hips
-Shower
-Bath
-Sitting on exercise balls
(Encourage position change every 30 - 60min if the patient has not changed their position)
What happens the descent during labour? (One of the fetal cardinal movements)
Progress of the presenting part
Measured by station
Accelerates in active phase
(This is the second movement that occurs)
What is tachysystole?
Greater than 5 contractions in 10min, averaged over a 30min window
What are Late Decelerations of FHR? WHat are they associated with?
It is a visually apparent GRADUAL (onset to nadir is greater then or equal to 30 sec) decrease in and return to baseline FHR that’s associated with utermine contractions
What are Accelerations? How are they characterized?
-An apparent, abrupt (onset to peak should be less than 30 seconds) increase in FHR above the baseline
-The peak is at least 15bpm above the baseline and the acceleration lasts 15 seconds longer, with the return to baseline in less than 2 min
During the 1st stage of labour what education ca we provide to a patient?
-Signs of labour (laten vs. active)
-Coping strategies (water (shower), massage, walks, relaxation, distraction, sleep, eating, drinking
When are Late Decelerations a concern?Why?
Persistent and repetitive decelerations are a concern when they are uncorrectable as they can lead/cause a disruption in fetal oxygenation and sufficiently result in metabolic acidemia
What can the onset of labour be triggered by? (endocrine system wise?
The onset of labour may be triggered by decreasing levels of progesterone and increasing levels of estrogen, prostaglandins, and oxytocin
When do FHR decelerations begin/characteristics?
Begins after the contraction has started, and the lowest point of the deccerlation occurs at the peak of the contraction
-The deccerlation usually does not return to baseline until after the contraction is over
What happens to fetal heart rate during labour? What should the normal rate be?
The rate should be 110-160 with accelerations and slight decelerations with movement and contractions
What is happening during the restitution and external rotation movement? (cardinal movement)
Rotation as shoulders immerge
(6th cardinal movement)
What structures do the “soft tissues” include?
1.) Lower uterine segment
2.) Pelvis floor muscles
3.) Vagina
4.) Introitus (vaginal opening) - Introitus = entrance into a canal or organ
What renal changes occur to the mother during labour? What is something that we might see that can be considered normal?
-Spontaneous voiding may be difficult due to: tissue edema caused by pressure from the presenting part, discomfort, analgesia, and embarrassment
Proteinuria up to +1 is a normal finding because it can occur in response to the breakdown of muscle tissue from the physical work of labour
What are the steps/how do we conduct a labour admission? (11 steps/things)
Interview and Physical Assessment
1.) Time labour started
2.) Frequency of contractions
3.) Where is pain felt and the intensity
4.) Vaginal discharge (bloody show)
5.) Have membranes ruptured? If so when?
6.) Vaginal exam (determine the dilation and if ROM occurred)
7.) Fetal assessment (heart rate and Leopolds manoeuvres)
8.) Notify the care provider
9.) Systems assessment is done after admission
10.) Anrenatal data and birth plan
11.) Pscyhosocial factors (Ex. history of sexual abuse, stress in labour)