Labor and birth Flashcards
How do you know a patient is in labor?
The onset of regular progressive contractions.
What does dilation mean?
The opening of the cervix (0 - 10cm)
What does effacement mean?
Thinning of the cervix (from thick to 100%)
What does station mean?
The relationship between the fetal presenting part and the ischial spines.
What are the ischial spines?
The bony spots on each side of the pelvis, or the smallest diameter through which the baby must fit.
How is station measured?
On a scale from -5 to +5
-5 = head floating above the pelvis \+5 = head crowning at the vaginal opening
“Positive numbers are positive news, negative numbers are negative news.”
What does engagement mean?
Station 0, the present is at the ischial spine
What does lie mean?
The relationship between the spine of the mother and the spine of the baby.
- longitudinal (vertical, parallel) lie = good
- transverse lie = bad
What does presentation mean?
The part of the baby that enters the birth canal first.
What are the four stages of labor and delivery?
- Labor
- Delivery of the baby
- Delivery of the placenta
- Recovery
What are the three phases of labor?
- Latent
- Active
- Transition
“The first three letters in the first phase (latent), tell you the first letters of all three phases… L-A-T.”
How long does recovery last?
2 hours
What is the purpose of uterine contractions in the 1st stage?
Dilate and efface the cervix
What is the purpose of uterine contractions in the 2nd stage?
Push the baby out
What is the purpose of uterine contractions in the 3rd stage?
Push the placenta out
What is the purpose of uterine contractions in the 4th stage?
Contract the uterus and stop the bleeding
When does postpartum begin?
2 hours after delivery of the placenta
What happens during the Latent phase of labor?
Cervical dilation = 0 - 4cm
Contractions frequency = 5 - 30min apart
Contraction duration = 15 - 30sec
Contraction intensity = mild
What happens during the Active phase of labor?
Cervical dilation = 5 - 7cm
Contractions frequency = 3 - 5min apart
Contraction duration = 30 -60sec
Contraction intensity = moderat
What happens during the Transition phase of labor?
Cervical dilation = 8 - 10cm
Contractions frequency = 2 - 3min apart
Contraction duration = 60 - 90sec
Contraction intensity = stronge
Contraction should not be longer than ______sec or closer than every _____min.
90sec, 2min
What are the signs of uterine tetany?
Contractions longer than 90sec or closer then 2min.
What are the signs of uterine hyperstimulation?
Contractions longer than 90sec or closer then 2min.
How do you know when a woman is in trouble in labor?
Contractions longer than 90sec or closer then 2min.
What parameters would make you stop pitocin?
Contractions longer than 90sec or closer then 2min.
How do you time a contraction?
Time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next.
What is the duration of a contraction?
Time from beginning to end of one contraction.
What is the intensity of a contraction?
The subjective strength of the contraction.
What do you need to teach the patient in order for them to determine the intensity of a contraction?
Palpate with one hand to over the fundus with the pads of the fingers (or fingertips).
What is the cervical dilation during the active phase of labor?
5 -7cm
What is the contraction frequency during the active phase of labor?
3 - 5min apart
What is the contraction duration during the active phase of labor?
30 - 60sec
What is the contraction intensity during the active phase of labor?
Moderate
