Labor And Delviery Terms

Question 1

Crowning

Answer 1

Fetal head encircled by the external opening of the vagina (introitus); means birth in imminent

Question 2

Episiotomy

Answer 2

A surgical incision of the perineal body to enlarge the outlet

Question 3

Induction

Answer 3

Procedure used to stimulate uterine contractions during pregnancy before labor begins on its own.
Successful labor inductions leads to vaginal birth.

Question 4

Laceration

Answer 4

A spontaneous, unintended tear of the skin and other soft tissue structures that, separate the vagina from the anus. Occurs in vaginal birth, strains perineum.

Question 5

Nuchal cord

Answer 5

A dangerous delivery complication in which the umbilical cord wraps around the fetus’ neck.

Question 6

Station

Answer 6

The relationship of the presenting part to an imaginary line drawn between the ischial spines of the maternal pelvis.

Question 7

Vertex

Answer 7

The most common type of presentation; the fetal head is completely flexed onto the chest, and the smallest diameter of the fetal head presents to the maternal pelvis; the occiput is the presenting part.

Question 8

Dilation

Answer 8

Process of the cervix opening during the labor process.

Question 9

Attitude

Answer 9

Refers to the relation of the fetal parts to one another.
The normal attitude of the fetus is one of moderate flexion of the head, flexion of the arms onto the chest and flexion of the legs onto the abdomen.

Question 10

Effacement

Answer 10

The drawing up of the internal os and the cervical canals into the sidewalls of the uterus.

Question 11

Engagement

Answer 11

The relationship between the maternal pelvis and presenting part.
When the fetus begins to settle into the pelvic inlet. This occurs when the largest diameter of the presenting part reaches or passes through the pelvic inlet and is at the level of the ischial spines; can be determined by VE.

Question 12

Lightening

Answer 12

Describes the effect that occurs when the fetus begins to settle into the pelvic inlet.

Question 13

Fetal lie

Answer 13

Refers to the relationship of the cephalocaudal axis (spinal column) of the fetus to the cephalocaudal axis of the woman.

Question 14

Ripening

Answer 14

Softening and effacing of the cervix.

Question 15

Braxton Hicks

Answer 15

Intermittent, irregular weak contractions of the uterus.

Question 16

Bloody Show

Answer 16

Vaginal discharge of the “mucus plug” blood/mucus discharge.

Question 17

Premonitory

Answer 17

Is, “a warning” or “a sign”.
Premonitory signs of labor are symptoms a woman may experience warning that labor will begin soon.

Question 18

Fetal station

Answer 18

Refers to the relationship of the fetus’s head and the ischial spines on the woman’s pelvis.
A negative number refers to the baby’s head floating above the ischial spines. This baby is high up in the uterus.
0 station refers to engagement and this is where the baby’s head is engaged between the spines of the pelvis.
A positive number refers to a baby’s head descending beyond the ischial spines and into the birth canal. Station reference can go from -5 to +5. +5 would be a crowning baby.

Question 19

False labor

Answer 19

contractions that stopped or decreased in frequency

Question 20

4 P’s of Labor

Answer 20

P- Passenger refers to the position, lie, and attitude of the fetus.
P- Passageway - size of the pelvis.
P- Power - involuntary uterine contractions. Contractions are measured for frequency and duration. The effectiveness of the contractions is demonstrated by subsequent dilation and effacement of the cervix and progression of the fetus.
P- Psyche - woman’s mental preparation for childbirth and mental status related to the pregnancy, labor, and delivery. A woman’s support system and support from healthcare providers also plays a key role.

Question 21

Leopold’s Maneuver

Answer 21

a maneuver used to palpate the gravid uterus systematically.
This method of abdominal palpation is of low cost, easy to perform, and non-invasive.
It is used to determine the position, presentation, and engagement of the fetus in utero.