labor & delivery Flashcards
What are the 3 phases of a contraction?
increment, peak (acme) and decrement
increment
contraction begins in fundus and spreads downward
Peak (acme)
contraction at greatest intensity
Decrement
decreasing intensity/relaxation
What are the terms used to describe the contraction cycle?
Frequency, duration, intensity, and interval
frequency
- contractions are every __ minutes
- Usually start far apart and get closer the farther you are along in labor
- Beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next contraction
duration
- length of each contraction from beginning to end
- expressed in seconds
intensity
- Strength of contraction
- Contraction intensity as palpated by the nurse
- Mild (tip of nose), moderate (chin), strong (forehead)
interval
- amount of time between contractions
- fetal exchange of O2, nutrients and waste products occurs here
What do you do if fetus is in distress?
put mom on left side and give oxygen
Do contraction right after another put the fetus in trouble?
yes
What should you do if contractions are occurring with little or no intervals?
- call Dr
- turn down pitocin
What part of the uterus actively contracts?
top 2/3
What does the bottom 1/3 of uterus do during contraction?
- less active
- allowing for downward passage of fetus
What part of the uterus becomes thicker during labor?
upper uterus
What part of the uterus becomes thinner and is pulled upward?
lower uterus/cervix
What are the cervical changes that occur during labor?
dilation and effacement
dilation
- opening of the cervix
- expressed in cm
- full dilation is 10cm
effacement
- thinning and shortening cervix
- fully thinned cervix is 100% effaced
What happens if mom pushes before 100% effacement?
may tear cervix
What helps effacement?
Position changes, squat on bed, pull knees up
How is the cardiovascular system effected during the birth process?
Increase in BP and decrease in pulse
When do you asses vitals?
between contractions
How is the respiratory system effected during the birth process?
Increase in depth and rate of respirations
How is the GI system effected during the birth process?
Decreased gastric motility
How is the urinary system effected during the birth process?
Decreased sensation of full bladder
Should a nurse periodically ask mom if she wants to go to the bathroom?
yes
How does a full bladder effect labor?
inhibits fetal descent because it occupies space in the pelvis
How is the hematopoietic system effected during the birth process?
- Clot breakdown decreases
- Promotes coagulation at placental site
- Increases the risk of maternal DVT, stroke & embolism
How is the fetal placental circulation effected during the birth process?
- Circulation in placenta decreases
- Blood supply to placenta stops with strong during contractions
- Placental exchange takes place between contractions
How is the fetal Cardiovascular System effected during the birth process?
Rapid fetal heart rate (110-160 bpm)
What FHR should you be concerned with?
below 110 and above 160
How is the fetal Pulmonary System effected during the birth process?
Fetal lung fluid production decreases close to birth and absorption of fluid increases
What are the components of the birth process?
powers, passage, passenger and psyche
what are the four major components of the birth process commonly called?
the four “Ps”
Power
uterine contractions and mother’s pushing efforts
Who may have issues with pushing?
quads, paraplegic, neuromuscular, moms with heart disease
Passage
the passage for the birth of the fetus consists of the maternal pelvis and its soft tissue
Does the Dr evaluate passage during antepartum care?
yes
What happens if the Dr knows that the pelvis is not conducive to labor?
schedule a c-section
Passenger
fetus, membranes and placenta
Psyche
- fear, anxiety, fatigue decrease ability to cope with pain
- relaxation helps the natural process of labor
What are the passage variations?
fetal lie, fetal attitude, fetal presentation & fetal position
passage variation - fetal lie
- orientation of long axis of mom and long axis of fetus
- Longitudinal, transverse and oblique
passage variation - fetal lie - longitudinal
- fetal head or buttocks enter pelvis first
- parallel
Are kids behind in kindergarten and 1st grade if they are delivered breech?
yes
passage variation - fetal lie - transverse
- fetal body lying horizontally
- ok during pregnancy but not in the birth canal
passage variation - fetal lie - oblique
fetal body at an angle between longitudinal and transverse
passage variation - fetal attitude
flexion and extension
passage variation - fetal attitude - flexion
- flexion is normal
- head flexed toward chest with arms and legs flexed over thorax, back in C-shape curve
passage variation - fetal attitude - extension
- head extended
- chin gets caught in pelvic or hung up in pubic bone
passage variation - fetal presentation
cephalic, breech and shoulder
passage variation - fetal presentation - cephalic
- head first
- vertex, military, brow, & face
passage variation - fetal presentation - cephalic - vertex
- most common
- head fully flexed
- most favorable position because smallest diameter of fetal head is presenting
passage variation - fetal presentation - cephalic - military
- head neither flexed or extended
- chin gets hung up
passage variation - fetal presentation - cephalic - brow
head partly extended
passage variation - fetal presentation - cephalic - face
- head fully extended
- baby born face up
- baby should be born face down
passage variation - fetal presentation - breech
- feet or buttocks first
- frank, full & footling
passage variation - fetal presentation - breech - frank
buttocks first, legs upward toward shoulders
passage variation - fetal presentation - breech - full
- buttocks first
- head, knees and hips are flexed
passage variation - fetal presentation - breech - footling
one or both feet are first
passage variation - fetal presentation - shoulder
- When there is a transverse lie, a shoulder is the presenting part
- C-section is usually needed
passage variation - fetal position
- Describes location of reference point to area in maternal pelvis
- 3 letter acronym
passage variation - fetal position - right or left
- fetal reference point is in the right (R) or left (L) area of the mother’s pelvis
passage variation - fetal position - Occiput, Mentum, or Sacrum
- refers to fixed reference point
- Occiput (O) - vertex
- Mentum (M) - face
- Sacrum (S) - breech
passage variation - fetal position - anterior, posterior or transverse
- fetal reference point is in the anterior (A), posterior (P) or transverse (T)
- transverse is used when it is neither anterior or posterior
LOA
the fetal occiput is in the left anterior quadrant of the maternal pelvis
RMP
the fetal mentum is in the right posterior quadrant of the maternal pelvis
LSA
the fetal sacrum is in the left anterior quadrant of the maternal pelvis
Warning Signs that Labor is Near
- Braxton Hick’s
- Lightening
- Increase clear vaginal secretions
- Bloody show
- Energy Spurt
- Small Weight loss
Warning Signs that Labor is Near - Braxton Hick’s
- Can have them for a several weeks
- Get uterus ready for labor
- Don’t do anything for dilation or effacement
Warning Signs that Labor is Near - Lightening
- Dropping of fetus into pelvis
- Can breathe better
- Pee all of the time
Warning Signs that Labor is Near - Bloody Show
mucous plug lets go
Warning Signs that Labor is Near - Energy spurt
Nesting, clean, get things fixed up, pack
Warning Signs that Labor is Near - Small weight loss
- At 40 weeks she has lost 2 or 3 pounds
- Associated with increasing progesterone
- Progesterone has a mild diuretic effect
- Tired and not all that hungry anymore
- Energy spurt
true or false labor - contractions increasing frequency, duration, intensity of contractions
true labor
true or false labor - Contractions cause progressive changes in the cervix (effacement and dilation)
true labor
true or false labor - Walking usually increases contractions
true labor
true or false labor - Early labor feels like cramps
true labor
true or false labor - Pain starts in lower back sometimes and goes toward lower abdomen
true labor
true or false labor - Inconsistency in frequency, duration, and intensity of contractions
false labor
true or false labor - Walking usually does not increase contractions
false labor
true or false labor - Discomfort felt in abdomen and groin
false labor
true or false labor - No major changes in cervix
false labor
true or false labor - Frustrating or embarrassing to mother
false labor
true or false labor - Caused by dehydration, braxton hicks
false labor
cardinal movements of labor
- descent
- engagement
- flexion
- internal rotation
- extension
- external rotation
- expulsion
cardinal movements of labor - descent
Descent of presenting part through pelvis
cardinal movements of labor - engagement
widest diameter of presenting part (usually head) reaches level of ischial spines of pelvis
cardinal movements of labor - flexion
Flexion of head so smallest diameter goes via pelvis
cardinal movements of labor - internal rotation
Internal Rotation allows largest fetal diameter to match largest pelvic diameter
cardinal movements of labor - extension
Extension of head as it passes under symphysis pubis bone
cardinal movements of labor - external rotation
External Rotation of head to allow shoulder to rotate in pelvis
cardinal movements of labor - expulsion
Expulsion of shoulders and rest of body
turtle pops
- head pops out and then goes back in
- is the cord around the neck
- slip one or two of your fingers under it and try to unwrap the cord
- in extreme measures cut the cord
station/engagement
- descent of the presenting part in relation to the level of the ischial spines
- as fetus descends, the station changes from higher negative numbers (-3, -2, -1) to higher positive numbers (+1, +2, +3)
station/engagement: -3
head moves freely or if you cant reach head, above ischial spine, not engaged
station/engagement: -2
feel head easily but can push it out
station/engagement: -1
harder to move head, doesn’t move very well back out
station/engagement: 0
engaged
station/engagement: +1
don’t see head
station/engagement: +2
bigger part of head
station/engagement: +3
head crowning
4 stages of labor
- first stage (dilation and effacement)
- second stage (expulsion)
- third stage (placental)
- fourth stage (recovery)
3 phases of first stage of labor
- latent
- active
- transition
Stages of labor - 1st stage - latent
from beginning of labor, 0 and up to 3 cm dilation
what is the environment like during the latent phase?
- Parents are happy, excited, wants to see baby
- Walking in hall, sitting on birthing ball
- Not much for nurses to do here
Stages of labor - 1st stage - active
dilation from 4-7 cm, effacement complete, fetal descent into pelvis, internal rotation begins
what is the environment like during the active phase?
- Effacement may only get to 90%
- Check mom more often
- Nurse needs to check mom more frequently, start to get supplies ready, help mom to work with contractions at 5 cm
Stages of labor - 1st stage - transition
dilation from 8-10 cm, intense contractions, urge to push
what is the environment like during the transition phase?
- Can be really hard, uncomfortable
- Women want to give up
- Has urge to push, should be dr driven
Second Stage of labor
- expulsion
- Begins with complete dilation (10 cm) and full effacement and end with birth of baby
- Vulva distends and crowning of head occurs
- Woman puts forth a lot of effort to push baby out
- BABY BORN! - Rush of positive emotion
Third Stage of Labor
- placental
- After baby is born, immediately uterus shrinks (involution) placenta separates from uterine wall
- Placenta can be expelled with either the fetal shiny side first (most common) or the maternal rough side
- Uterus must remain contracted afterwards to compress vessels at implantation site to prevent hemorrhage
how long does involution take?
10 minutes but could be as long as an hour
For a C-section what happens to get the uterus to shrink?
Pitocin injection will be given, placenta starts to separate, dr manually removes placenta
what happens if upon placental examination you notice a piece is missing?
need to do D & C
Placenta acreta
- grown into endometrium but not in myometrium
- physician peels placenta off the uterine wall
- more likely to occur in red heads and previous C-section scar
Placenta increta
- rown into myometrium
- D&C, surgically remove placenta
Placenta precreta
- grown into perimetrium
- hysterectomy more than likely
fourth stage of labor
- recovery
- 1-4 hours after birth
- lochia flow starts (use peri pads and monitor drainage)
- discomfort from birth trauma (apply ice packs to perineum)
- start bonding, baby usually alert now (first 4 hours)
- Start breastfeeding ASAP, if desired
- May have postpartum chill
fourth stage of labor - lochia
- placenta detaches
- rubra, serosa & alba
rubra
bright red, small clots might be present
Serosa
turns over a day or two, lighter red or even a darker brown red
can lochia switch back and forth between rubra & serosa?
- yes
- place of healing was disturbed
- normal amount is ok
- did too much activity
What are the nurse’s responsibility during 4th stage of labor?
- lochia - describe color, clots
- Hemorrhage - more than 1 pad per hour
- Ice packs on perineum for discomfort
- Administer analgesic for pain
- Facilitate bonding and breastfeeding
What should a nurse do to minimize discomfort of birth?
- apply ice packs to perineum
- administer analgesics
when should bonding occur?
- First 4 hours after birth
- Baby moves from warm to a colder environment
- If possible have mom see baby prior to being taken away
- Take mom to nursery, touch baby
postpartum chill
- hypovolemia
- weight of fetus
- amniotic fluid
- placenta
- blood
- Give warm blanket
hypovolemia
- lose a large amount of fluid
RN/Admission Process
- Welcome family (therapeutic communication)
- Obtain consent form
- Check database info
- Assess mom and fetus
- Notify Dr.
fetal assessment
- FHR
- ROM
- assess color and amount of amniotic fluid
Leopold’s Maneuvers
Used to determine fetal position and presentation, aids in finding best place for assessing FHR on maternal abdomen
Leopold’s Maneuvers - 1st step
palpate fundus to check for cephalic or breech presentation
Leopold’s Maneuvers - 2nd step
check which side is fetal back and which side has arms and legs
Leopold’s Maneuvers - 3rd step
palpate suprapubic area to confirm presentation between thumb and fingers
Leopold’s Maneuvers - 4th step
turn to face patient’s feet. Place hands toward pelvic inlet to see if head is flexed (vertex) or extended (face presentation)
Maternal Assessments
- Vital signs
- Assess contractions
- Check dilation, fetal descent and effacement as well as
- Intake and Output
- Response to the labor
Comfort Measures
- Soothing Environment
- Provide ice chips, popsicles, hard candy
- Keep linens clean
- Help with urinary elimination
- Use of shower, tub, or whirlpool
- Dysfunctional labor
- Help with positioning
- Provide encouragement and support birth partner
- Analgesics as ordered and requested
Responsibilities During Birth
- Transfer patient to delivery room if utilized
- Preparation of sterile table instruments
- Prep the perineal area, drape, and position
- Observe perineum
- Delivery of baby if MD not available
Responsibilities After Birth - Mother
- Check for hemorrhage
- Watch vital signs
- Check fundus
- Fluid loss
- Bladder
- Assess lochia and saturation of perineal pads
- Relieving discomfort
What is anticipated blood loss during labor?
- 300mL
- More than 500 mL watch closer
Responsibilities After Birth - Newborn
- Cardiopulmonary
- Thermoregulation
- Determine Apgar scores at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth
- Apply ID bands to infant, mother, and father
newborn - cardiopulmonary
- Suction mouth and nose with bulb syringe
- Baby picks up a lot of secretions as it moves through the birth canal
- Usually enough to get them to breathe/cry
- Have oxygen, ambu bag, and intubation equipment ready
newborn - thermoregulation
- dry infant
- discard damp linens
- apply cap to head - lose heat through top of head
- place infant in warmer if needed
- skin-to-skin contact to prevent heat loss is the best
APGAR
Assess heart rate, resp. effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and color
Monitoring of Labor
- Auscultation of fetal heart rate
- Palpation of uterine activity
- Electronic fetal monitoring
- See how the fetus tolerates labor
- Assess fetal oxygenation
Fetal oxygenations is influenced by…
- Problems in the maternal blood flow
- Intense uterine activity (irritable uterus)
- Problems in placenta
- Compression of the umbilical flow
- Problems in fetus (anemia, hypotension, cardiac, and/or CNS abnormalities)
Auscultation
- Fetoscope
- Palpate maternal pulse while listening for FHR
- Doppler ultrasound (use transmission gel)
- Best location for transducer is usually on fetus back
Palpation
assess frequency, duration, intensity (mild, moderate, or strong), and uterine resting tone
Fetal Heart Rate - Reassuring
- Average rate of 110-160 beats per minute
- Regular rhythm
- Acceleration from baseline rate
- No decrease in rate from baseline rate
Fetal Heart Rate - Nonreassuring
- FHR outside of normal limits
- Irregular rhythm
- Decrease in rate
- Tachycardia or bradycardia for 10 minutes or more
Do you notify Dr for fetal tachycardia or bradycardia?
yes
Electronic Fetal Monitoring
- More than nonstress test
- Can be done continuously or intermittently
- Gives more fetal information than auscultation, gives a printed record
- External sensors are placed on woman’s abdomen to track uterine activity and FHR
Internal Fetal Monitoring
- Very accurate for monitoring
- Invasive procedures
- Increased risk for infection in mom and fetus
- Requires ruptured membranes and 2 cm of cervical dilation
- Fetal scalp electrode
- Avoid electrode application to face, genitals, and fontanels.
Fetal scalp electrode
detects electrical signals from fetal heart, electrode is attached to fetal scalp and rest of wire comes out of vagina and is attached to leg band
Intrauterine Pressure Catheter
- Measures uterine contractions and resting tone
- Measured in mm Hg
- Resting tone should be normal; soft uterus
- Labor to aggressive if no/poor resting tone
- Poor resting tone might be a risk for ruptured uterus
- Some catheters also equipped with extra lumen for amniofusion to reduce cord compression, to dilute meconium in amniotic fluid and decrease risk of aspiration.
FHR - variability
- Assessed for at least 2 minutes within a 10 minute period
- Absent: none can be detected
- Minimal: 5 or fewer bpm
- Moderate: 6-25 bpm considered reassuring
- Marked: over 25 bpm; might mean trouble, watch more closely, might have cord around neck
- nonreassuring
FHR - Accelerations
- Temporary increase
- 15 bpm increase for 15 seconds - want to see this
- Associated with fetal movement or contraction; reassuring
- CNS is responsive
FHR - Early Decelerations
- Occurs only during contractions as the fetal head is compressed
- Return to baseline by the end of the contraction
- Low point of the FHR occurs at the peak of the contraction
- Appear as “mirror images”: of the contraction on the paper strip
- No fetal compromise, no intervention needed
- Only acceptable with contraction
FHR - Late Decelerations
- Begin well after the contraction begins
- FHR returns to baseline after the contraction ends
- Not reassuring signs and reflects possible impaired placental exchange of oxygen. Could result in acidemia shift to anaerobic metabolism due to poor oxygenation
- Requires intervention to improve placental blood flow an fetal oxygenation.
uterine activity
- Note the frequency, duration, intensity, and resting tone
- Average resting tone 5-15 mm Hg
- Active phase of labor: 75-80 mm Hg
- Second stage (mother pushing) 100-150 mm Hg
Placental exchange can be reduced if…
- Contractions are too frequent
- ontractions are too long
- The resting interval between contractions is less than 30 seconds
- Uterine resting pressure is more than 20 mm Hg
will see FHR decelerations
Reassuring Patterns FHR
- Stable baseline FHR
- Accelerations
- Moderate variability
- Variety of decelerations of less than 60 seconds with fast return to baseline
Reassuring Pattern - FHR - Uterine activity:
frequency no more than every 2 minutes, duration no longer than 90-120 seconds, interval between contractions at least 30 seconds, resting tone under 20 mm Hg.
Nonreassuring Patterns FHR
Associated with fetal hypoxia or acidosis, but does not necessarily mean that they have occurred
nonreassuring patterns include…
- Tachycardia/bradycardia
- Late or prolonged decelerations
- Hypertonic uterine activity
- Decreased or absent variability
Fetal scalp stimulation
sweep gloved fingers on scalp, then FHR should accelerate
Vibroacoustic stimulation
sound and vibration stimulator placed on mother’s abdomen, then FHR should accelerate
Fetal pulse oximetry
sensor placed alongside fetal cheek measures 02 saturation, normal in fetus is 30-65%
Fetal scalp blood sampling
checks pH of blood, normal is 7.25-7.35. Under 7.2 reflects acidosis
Umbilical cord blood gas and pH
sample checks pH and blood gases, done after birth
Nursing Responses to Nonreassuring FHR Patterns
- Notify Dr
- Identify cause of pattern
- Stop oxytocin infusion, if infusing
- Reposition woman
- Increase IV rate if ordered
- Give O2 by mask at 8-10 liters
- Continue fetal monitoring a
- Prepare for immediate delivery
Nursing Actions - FHR monitoring
- Assess client’s knowledge, expectations of, and comfort
- Include the labor pattern and ensure comfort of all people involved
- Perform and record assessments according to facility policy.
- Take corrective actions, notify MD, and document.
- Listen to the woman
Amniotomy
- Artificial rupture of membranes (AROM)
- Used to induce or stimulate labor
- Permits internal electronic fetal monitoring
- An Amnihook is used to perforate the amniotic sac
- Not performed if fetal presentation is not cephalic (do not do with breech)
amniotomy risks
- Prolapsed umbilical cord
- Cord compressed
- Infection (chorioamnionitis)
- Wear gloves
Abruptio placenta
- Placenta detaches from uterine wall prior to delivery which causes decrease in fetal oxygenation, decreased nutrition, and decreased waste disposal
- Before delivery
- Suffocates fetus
Nursing Care for Amniotomy
- Place pads under woman to absorb fluid and change pads as needed
- Continue to assess FHR & VS afterwards
- Chart color, amount, odor of fluid
Induction of Labor
Used when ending a pregnancy is beneficial to woman or fetus and when labor/vaginal birth is considered safe
indications for induction…
- Nonstress test did not look good
- Cervix is ripe and ready
- Post-term pregnancy
- Unfavorable environment for fetus
- Mom is developing hypertension or preeclampsia
- Fetal death
Hydrophilic intracervical inserts
- Dilapan or Lamicel
- Mechanical method for ripening cervix
- Absorb water and expand which helps dilate the cervix followed by oxytocin the next morning
Prostaglandin gels, vaginal inserts
- Misoprostol, IV oxytocin (Pitocin)
- Medical methods
- Stimulate contractions
Bishop Scoring System
evaluation of the readiness of the cervix: checks dilation, effacement, fetal station, cervical softness, and cervical position
Administering Oxytocin
- Diluted in isotonic solution and given as a piggyback infusion, regulated by pump
- Infusion started slowly, increased gradually and titrated as needed
- Oxytocin has antidiuretic effects, mother can get water intoxication
hypertonic uterine activity
- contractions last longer than 90 seconds
- contractions less than 2 minutes apart
- relaxation less than 30 seconds
- uterine tone at rest is above 20 mm Hg
- late decelerations
hyperstimulation of uterus
- MD may order Terbutaline SQ
- Decrease stimulation of uterus
- Maternal heart rate speeds up/so the FHR may increase
- Maternal gets shaky, irritable but goes away quickly
Version
- Baby is breech
- If there is a nice sized uterus and baby is healthy, given birth before
Version - external
- IV Terbutaline to relax uterus
- Ultrasound guides the MD who pushes the breech part out of pelvis and turns fetus
- Epidural or analgesic may be given to decrease maternal discomfort
Version - internal
- Surprise situation, unexpected
- Usually done during twin births to change the presentation of the second twin after the birth of the first twin.
- MD reaches into uterus with one hand and turns fetus into cephalic lie with other hand on maternal abdomen to allow delivery
Forceps
- Metal instrument with 2 curved blades (look like tongs), should be padded to protect fetal head, gently
- Head crowns but does not push down further; mom is exhausted and not pushing well
Forceps risk
- bruising fetal head
- create a hematoma
- lacerations, burns (irritation to skin)
- do not use for preterm because there is possibility of causing internal bleeding
Vacuum Extractor
- Uses suction on the fetal head
- head crowns but does not push down further; mom is exhausted and not pushing well
- CPD
Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD)
baby’s head is too big for pelvis
Vacuum Extractor Risks
- fetal cone head
- hematoma
- don’t want to use in a preterm baby (internal bleeding)
Indications for Forceps/Vacuum
- maternal exhaustion, inability to push, infections, cardiac and pulmonary problems
- cord compression
- contraindicated for severe compromise
- CPD
How much blood can a hematoma collect?
- 1 to 2 L
- If you see just a trickle of blood on pad think vaginal hematoma
Episiotomy
- Surgical incision of the perineum to enlarge vaginal opening
- Performed when presenting part has crowned
- Used in forceps or vacuum extractor births, when there’s obvious risk to tissues for tearing, birth of “face up” fetus, vaginal breech births
Episiotomy - median
off to the side
Episiotomy - mediolateral
straight down towards rectum
What should the nurse observe in a mom after an episiotomy?
hematoma and edema
Cesarean Birth
- Birth of a fetus through a surgical incision in the abdominal wall and uterus
- Cephalopelvic disproportion
- Dystocia
- Active genital herpes
- Previous cesarean with classic incision
Dystocia
most likely shoulder dystocia or might be difficult labor and delivery
Cesarean Incisions - skin and abdominal wall
- Vertical
- Pfannenstiel (“bikini”)
Cesarean Incisions - uterine
- Low transverse
- Low vertical
- Classic
Cesarean Post-op Care
- Monitor vital signs
- Assess LOC (level of consciousness)
- General anesthesia - something critical
- Spinal anesthesia - be awake, not an emergency
- Return of motion and sensation
- Check abdominal dressing and lochia
- Urinary output
- Uterine firmness and position
- Pain level
- Change position and TCDB (turn cough deep breathe)
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
- Associated with risk for uterine rupture
- Must be at least one year after previous C-section
- Electronic fetal monitoring is recommended
- Epidural anesthesia may be used
- Induction and augmentation with oxytocin and prostaglandin gel may be used
- Number one complication of vbac is emergency c-section
Postpartum Adaptation
- Puerperium
- Begins after baby and placenta are born
- Postpartum Period-first six weeks after birth of an infant
- Body begins to return to non-pregnant state
- Start of lactation
- Return of menstrual cycle
- Contraction of muscle fibers
- Catabolism
- Epithelium of the uterus regenerates
Start of lactation
prolactin initiates milk production within 2-3 days of childbirth
Production of colostrum
has immune part in it, natural immunity for babies
Return of menstrual cycle - lactating
(varies) 12 weeks to 18 months after childbirth
Return of menstrual cycle - nonlactating
(varies) 7-9 weeks after childbirth
Contraction of muscle fibers
- uterus decreases in size and contractions control bleeding
- starts right away as soon as placenta is born
Catabolism
converts living cells in the uterus into simpler compounds (reduces cell size), absorbed by bloodstream and then excreted as waste in urine
Epithelium of the uterus regenerates
- Lochia is the regeneration process
- Outer part of epithelium expelled with placenta
- One layer is shed in lochia and other layer will become new epithelium
- Placental site heals by exfoliation (6-7 weeks)
Descent of the Fundus
- After delivery, fundus palpated between symphysis pubis and umbilicus
- Drops below umbilicus after birth
- In a few hours, it raises to level of umbilicus and will stay there for 24 hours
- After 24 hours, fundus descends 1 cm or 1 fingerbreadth per day
How long does it normally take before you are not able to feel the fundus?
10 - 14 days post partum
Afterpains
- Every time uterus contract
- More babies more afterpains
- Babies latch on to nurse
Does the cervical os have a permanent slit in it after delivery?
yes
How long does it take for vagina to shrink to prepregnancy size?
6 weeks
Why may nursing mothers experience painful sexual intercourse?
vaginal dryness because of inadequate estrogen
Premarin cream
made of estrogen, rub small amount on affected area
How long does it take for an episiotomy to heal?
may take as long as 4-6 months
How long does it take for the mother’s cardiac output to return to normal?
12 weeks post pregnancy
How does the body rid itself of the extra fluid volume?
diuresis and diaphoresis
diuresis
urinate more for a few weeks
diaphoresis
warm for awhile after birth, sweat
How long does it take WBC count to become normal?
4-7 days postpartum
How long does it take for coagulation factors to return to normal?
3-4 weeks postpartum
what does decline in placental hormones cause?
Normal to cry after birth, you have no clue as to why you are crying
how long does it take for aldosterone levels to return to normal?
2 weeks
what causes bleeding issues in postpartum?
hCG is high, possibly that she retained a placenta; hydatidiform mole may present and is typically cancerous
Nursing Assessment After Childbirth
BUBBLEHE
B - breast
What are they like, engorgement, milk coming in
U - uterus
position, is it u/1 or u/u?, top of fundus midline, deviated to left or right, if deviated that means that bladder is full, uterus not midline tend to bleed
B - bowel
Sounds, gas, constipation
B - bladder
- Up and urinate at normal time and amounts
- May put in Foley for a couple of days because message between bladder and brain is messed up
Urecholine
drug for urinary retention
L - lochia
Rubra, serosa, alba
E - episiotomy
- Check it for swelling, drainage, hematoma
- Watch for hematoma and bruising
- No episiotomy - use E to check the perineum
H - homan’s sign
- Check for clot in lower calf
- One hand on patient’s knee, one hand on bottom of foot, pull foot towards their head
- Sudden onset of pain - positive indication - possible clot in leg
- Assessing for possible thrombophlebitis
- No matter what you should be looking at leg for redness, tenderness, swelling
E - emotional state
- Bonding with baby
- Postpartum blues natural process
- Postpartum blues can exacerbate mental illness
- Is she crying all of the time? Has a normal healthy baby. Not postpartum blues - too early
Comfort Measures - postpartum
- Ice packs to perineum
- Perineal care with warm water
- Anesthetic sprays
- Sitz baths
- Analgesics
how long should you wait to have sex after a baby?
6 weeks
Can you go on pill while nursing?
yes but may reduce milk supply if nursing
Bonding
- strong emotional tie or attraction to infant felt by the parents
- enhanced if parents are able to touch infant during first 30-60 minutes after birth
Attachment
- process of creating a bond between infant and parent/other
- begins in pregnancy and lasts for many months after birth. Felt by both parents and infant
Newborn Attachment Behaviors
- Baby makes eye contact with prolonged gazing
- Baby has heard mom and dad for a long time in utero
- Moves eyes to track the parent’s face
- Grasps fingers
- Moves in response to patterns in paternal voice and is comforted by parent’s touch or voice
- Root, latch, and suckle to breast
Question why newborn’s don’t have attachment behaviors?
- Degree of visual impairment - see only black, white and red, see shapes
- Hearing difficulty - drop something metal on floor to test
- Cognitive issue
- Doesn’t gaze or interact, cries all the time - drug/alcohol addiction
Maternal Role in Adaptation
- Taking-In Phase
- Taking-Hold Phase
- Letting-Go Phase
Taking-In Phase
- Mother focused on her needs
- Allows others to make decisions - spouse or nurse
- Immediate postpartum phase
Taking-Hold Phase
- Mother becomes more independent (self-care)
- Take shower by herself
- Shifts attention to infant
- Ready to bond
Letting-Go Phase
- Mother and father accept their roles and the infant as he/she is
- Let go of negative thoughts and become more positive
- Some struggle here - watch and document
Postpartum Blues
- Mild depression that affects >70% of U.S. women, cause is unknown (may be from letdown after birth, fatigue, anxiety, and discomfort)
- Last no longer than 2 weeks
- Does not affect mother’s ability to care for infant
Postpartum Blues Symptoms
- Not related to events
Fatigue, irritability, tearfulness, insomnia, anxiety, unstable moods
Do postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis require treatment?
yes