Labor & Delivery Flashcards
True Labor
contractions are regular with the interval getting shorter and shorter with time, contractions continue with rest, intensity increases, start in lower back and move towards the front of the abdomen
False Labor
irregular contractions that do not get closer together, stop with walking/resting/changing position, generally weak, pain felt in front
Amniotic sac rupture
can occur in active labor or when woman starts contracting, if rupture happens first contractions will follow, rarely gush of fluid will be more of a steady trickle of fluids
PROM
premature rupture of membranes; ruptures before contractions begin, can accurately tell by pH strip (blue/alkalotic = amniotic fluid)
PPROM
preterm premature rupture of membranes; before 37 weeks, if stays ruptured for long period of time and baby is not delivered soon there is risk for infection, commonly undiagnosed
AROM
artifical rupture of membranes (amniotomy); provider breaks water to induce labor using an amni hook
effacement
as cervix dilates it also thins out, is measured in percentages with help of index finger
measuring effacement
when finger inserted into cervix: goes to 2nd knuckle = 0%, goes to 1st knuckle = 50%, only fingertip = 100%
Tocolytics
slow contractions; terbutaline, magnesium sulfate
ocytotics
stimulate contractions; ocytocin
oxytocin is always given via
IV and piggy back
Misoprostol
prostaglandin; causes cervix to soften and uterus to contract
Dinoprostone
prostaglandin; stimulate muscles of uterus to contract and also causes cervical dilation
systemic analgesics in labor
lessens pain without loss of feeling or muscle movement, typically opioids given IV, do cross placenta so limited use is better as it can lead to resp depression in both mom and baby
local anesthetics in labor
often used if incision needs to be made to make vaginal opening bigger (episiotomy) or to repair a lac/tear that occurred during delivery
epidural
small catheter placed into lower spins that slowly pumps pain meds into that area, stops pain signals from traveling from spine to brain. Removed pain without slowing labor too much, mother is awake and lart and should still be able to feel pressure/contractions to know when to push, can drop bp closely
Spinal Block
used for pain during planned C section, injected directly into spinal cord fluid and will block pain for a couple of hours, takes effect very quickly so it may also be given if painful procedure needed during a vaginal delivery (such as a vacuum assist). May drop bp, can also lead to drop in FHR (rare cases)
Spinal headache
medication goes into membrane and CF begins to drain causing intense headache; occurs 24-48 hrs after epidural; if relief measures such as hydration and NSAIDs do not work can do a epidural blood patch (small amount of blood product inject into where epidural was to block CF from leaking)
general anesthesia in labor
reserved for only emergency situations, may rarely be used if epidural/spinal block does not work, will delay how quickly mother can bon to baby and often impacts BF
right fetal presentation
baby is facing R side
left fetal presentation
baby is facing the L side
occiput fetal presentation
baby’s head is presenting first
mentum fetal presentation
chin is presenting first
sacrum fetal presentation
sacrum is presenting first