Labour Flashcards
What are braxton-hicks contractions?
Intermittent contractions of the uterus from early pregnancy onwards
These increase in frequency and amplitude as labour approaches
These are irregular, low frequency, and high amplitude in character, and only occasionally painful
What are the differences between primigravid and multigravid labour?
Primigravid:
Unique psychological experience
Inefficient uterine action common, so labour lasts longer
Functional capacity of pelvis not known
Serious injury to child more common
Incidence of instrumental delivery is higher
Uterus virtually immune to rupture
Multigravid: Uterine action efficient and genital tract stretches more easily, therefore labour usually shorter Cephalopelvic disproportion is rare Serious injury to child is rare Small risk of uterine rupture
What are the pro pregnancy factors promoting pregnancy continuation?
Progesterone
Nitric oxide
Catecholamines
Relaxin
What are the pro labour factors stimulating the onset of labour?
Oestrogens Oxytocin Prostaglandins Prostaglandin dehydrogenase Inflammatory mediators
When can labour be diagnosed?
When painful uterine contractions accompany dilatation and effacement of the cervix
What are the foetal manoeuvres in labour?
Descent- head into pelvis
Flexion
Internal rotation of head - so faces sacrum
Head extension
Restitution - head turned to be back in line weigh shoulders after head delivered
Internal rotation of shoulders
Lateral Flexion - manually delivered
What is the normal position of the baby in labour?
Lie is longitudinal
Presentation is cephalic
Position is left or right occipitoanterior
Attitude is one of good Flexion
Presenting part - posterior part of anterior parietal bone
What is the attitude of the foetus?
The degree to which the head is flexed on the neck
The ideal attitude is maximum Flexion (vertex presentation)
What is a well flexed (vertex) attitude?
The head is maximally flexed so the vertex of the skull is presented
The presenting diameter is the 9.5cm and the smallest diameter of the skull, from the anterior fontanelle to below the occipit
What is deflexed attitude?
The head is not flexed so the sinciput-occipit diameter presents
What is a brow presentation?
The head is slightly extended, so the diameter from the chin to the vertex presents
Watch and wait- if does not change, then cs is indicated
What is a face presentation?
The head is hyperextended so the face presents
Can deliver vaginally if chin is anterior. If chin is posterior, may require CS
What is the position if the head during labour?
Initially occipitotransverse as the head enters the pelvis in the transverse position
Later, the head undergoes internal rotation to face the sacrum, and the position is occipitoanterior
What is a show and how often does it occur?
A blood stained mucous discharge
Occurs in two-thirds of women by the time of presentation and supports diagnosis of labour in women with regular contractions
What is pre labour rupture of membranes?
Rupture of the membranes prior to the onset of uterine contractions, after 37 weeks gestation
Occurs in 6-12% of cases
Can be managed conservatively, and 70% begin labour within 24 hours, although there is a small risk of ascending infection
Induce after 24 hours!
What is the first stage of labour?
From the onset of labour until the cervix is 10cm dilated
Latent phase - from onset of contractions until cervix is fully effaced and 4cm dilated
Active phase- 4cm to 10cm cervix dilation
What is the second stage of labour?
From full cervical dilation til the head is completely delivered
Propulsive - from full dilatation until head has descended onto pelvic floor
Expulsive - from time the mother has an irreversible desire to bear down and push until the baby is delivered
What is the third stage of labour?
From delivery of the baby until expulsion of the placenta and membranes
How is slow progress in the first stage of labour defined in primip and multips?
Primip- >12 hours duration (1cm per hour)
Multip - >7 hours duration (2cm per hour)
How is slow progress in the second stage of labour defined for the primip and Multip?
Primip- after one hour of active labour, recommend amniotomy
- after two hours, consider instrumental delivery or cs
Multip - after one hour, consider instrumental delivery or cs
What are the options for foetal intrapartum surveillance?
Intermittent auscultation
Continuous CTG
When should intermittent auscultation be used, and how often?
In a woman with no risk factors, performed for a full minute after contractions
At least every 15 mins in the first stage
Every five mins or after every other contraction in the second stage