Labour

Question 1

The uterus has electrical coordination. Where is the pacemaker for this?

Answer 1

In the myometrium in the cornus part of the uterus and contractions go from top to bottom

Question 2

Describe the 1st stage of labour

Answer 2

3cm to full dilatation. Latent phase may be hours to days

Question 3

Describe the 2nd stage of labour

Answer 3

Full dilatation to delivery of the baby.

Question 4

What are the 2 phases of the 2nd stage of labour?

Answer 4

Passive phase: where the baby is moving down the pelvis)

Active phase: where the mother needs to push

Question 5

Describe the third stage of delivery

Answer 5

Delivery of the placenta and membrane

Question 6

How is the placenta delivered?

Answer 6

Physiologically: oxytocin is released to stimulate contraction of uterus
Assisted by injection of oxytocin and midwife pull placenta out gently

Question 7

What is used to record progress in labour

Answer 7

Partogram

Question 8

At what rate would a first pregnancy expect to dilate?

Answer 8

Half a centimetre every hour (subsequent pregnancies would be 1cm per hour)

Question 9

State 3 feral checks during labour

Answer 9

Feral heart (auscultate or cardiotocography)
Check for blood in amniotic fluid (bleeding)
Meconium(when the fetus pops in the amniotic fluid which is a sign of distress)