Labour Flashcards
Parturition
Process of labour
begins much prior to actual onset of regular uterine contractions
uterus comproised predominantly of smooth muscle fibers
Phase 0 of labour
uterine quiescence
contractile tranquility
Phase I of labour
uterine preparedness
functional changes in myometrium + cervix
Phase II of labour
active labour
progressive cervical dilation and fetal delivery
Phase III of labour
uterine involution
fertility restored
Elements of Parturition
requires agents that stimulate onset of uterine regular contractions along with cervical effacement + dilatation
Uterotropins
agents that set the stage for regular uterine contractions and cervical change estrogen relaxin Ca-dependent phospholipases arachidonic acid (prostaglandin)
Progesterone counteracts actions of these uterotropins: maintains uterine quiescence
Uterotonins
agents directly involved in causing myometrial smooth muscle cells to contract
increased intracellular calcium in myometrium
oxytocin
prostaglandins (specifically PGF2alpha)
endothelin-1
Sheep model of labour
1) increased ACTH from fetal pituitary
2) increased cortisol from fetal adrenals
3) increased androgens from placenta (estrogen precursors)
4) increased estradiol in mother
5) decreased progesterone in mother
Parturition initiation in humans
however in humans, prior to onset of active labour (as opposed to sheep):
- serum progesterone levels do NOT fail
- serum estradiol levels do NOT rise
- administration of progesterone does NOT reliably prevent preterm labour
- administration of estrogen does NOT induce labour
- prostaglandins, arachidonic acid, relaxin, phospholipases, cortisol, oxytocin do NOT rise until active labour
Phase II of labour - prostaglandins
synthesized at/near site of action (interface of amnion/chorion and myometrium)
PGE2 i nlabour
cervical effacement
highest levels in amniotic fluid just below presenting part “forewaters”
breakdown of rigid structure of collagen fibers
unwinds collagen fibers
softens extracellular matrix
increased hyaluronic acid
decreased glycosaminoglycans
PGF2alpha in labour
Thinning of lower uterine segment during active labour –> inflammatory response in decidua –> arachidonic acid released
Process also stimulated by oxytocin
Leads to increase in intracellular calcium
Relaxin
peptide hormone originating from ovary
also involved in cervical ripening
unknown how it interacts with PGE2
Oxytocin
precursor produced in hypothalamus
secreted from post. pit in active labour
increase intracellular Ca (via activation of phospholipase C)
Oxytocin receptors present on myometrium:
- increase near term
- increased by estradiol: estrogen involved in labour induction
- down-regulated by progesterone through rest of pregnancy
Oxytocin used in late pregnancy (IV) for inducing labour
- not effective earlier on because fewer receptors
Myometrial contractions
muscle filaments: thick/thin filaments arranged in long random bundles to allow muscle shortening in any direction and maximize shortening
Gap junctions:
- transcellular membrane channels
- allow ion exchange between cells
- propagate electrical signal
- increase muscle shortening
- increase in number close to parturition
- increased by estradiol
- decreased by progesterone
Myometrial relaxation
decreased intracellular Ca
sequestration of Ca into SR
Dephosphorylation of myosin light chain
inactivation of myosin light chain kinase (by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation)
labour continuous process of alternating contractions/relaxations
Phase II clinical features
Lower uterine segment (passive segment + cervix) thinning and dilating upper uterus (active segment) thickens with continuing uterine contractions
Summary of labour physiology
1) Cervical ripening
- stimulated by estradiol, arachidonic acid, PGE2
- inhibited by progesterone
2) contractions
- increased intracellular Ca due to PGF2alpha, oxytocin/oxytocin receptors
- increased # of gap junctions due to estradiol, inhibited by progesterone
Induction of labour
amniotomy
membrane sweeping (inflammatory action)
Foley catheter in cervix (increase mechanical pressure for prostaglandins)
oxytocin
Preventing preterm labour
NSAIDs
progesterone
Ca channel blockers
Evaluation of labour
Hx Physical: vital signs general exam fetal heart rate abdominal exam SFH Leopold maneuvers
Leopold maneuvers
1) palpate uterine fundus for contents
2) palpate fetal back on one side and limbs on other
3) palpate fetal presenting part just above symphysis
4) facing patients feet, determine fetal position (also confirmed on internal exam with a dilated cervix)
Occiput:
head flexed lowest part
anterior - facing maternal symphysis
45 degrees to symphysis on maternal left side - left occiput anterior
maternal sacrum - occiput posterior/OP