Labour and Birth Flashcards
oxytocin role in initiation of labour
number of oxytocin receptors in the uterus increases at the end of pregnancy. This creates an increased sensitivity to oxytocin (released from posterior pituitary)
explain change in estrogen to progesterone ration in initiating pregnancy
- During the last trimester of pregnancy, estrogen levels increase, and progesterone levels decrease.
- This change leads to an increase in the number of myometrium gap junctions. Gap junctions are proteins that connect cell membranes and facilitate coordination of uterine contractions and myometrial stretching.
prostaglandins role in initiation of labour
lead to additional contractions, cervical softening, gap junction induction, and myometrial sensitization, thereby leading to a progressive cervical dilation
progesterone may be given to pts who go into labour early because
it helps suppress uterine contractions
2 main functions of uterine contractions
(1) to dilate the cervix and
(2) to push the fetus through the birth canal
cervical changes before labour
cervical softening and possible dilation with descent of the presenting part into the pelvis occur
softening and dilation of cervix can occur ________ to _______ before actual labour begins
1 month to 1 hour
what is essential for effacement and dilation of cervix
ripening and softening of the cervix
lightening occurs when
the fetal presenting part begins to descend into the true pelvis
during lightening the uterus depresses and moves into a more ___________ position
anterior position
increased energy level before labour is referred to as
nesting
during pregnancy the mucous plug fills
the cervical canal during pregnancy
at onset of labour or before the mucous plug is expelled as a result of
cervical softening and increased pressure of the presenting part
the mucous plug being expelled results in the release of
a small amount of blood that mixes with mucous resulting in pink-tinged secretions
characteristics of braxton hicks contractions
- lasting as little as 30 sec or persisting as long as 2 minutes
why do braxton hicks contractions occur
As birth get closer the uterus becomes more sensitive to oxytocin
braxton hicks aid in moving the cervix from a
posterior to an anterior position
braxton hicks also help in ____________ the cervix
ripening
although much of the amniotic fluid is lost when rupture of membranes occurs a continuous supply is produced to ensure
protection of fetus at birth
five P’s of labour
powers
passageway
passenger
position
psyche
powers of labour include the
contractions
two types of contractions
false and true
false labour
- occurs in latter weeks of some pregnancies in which irregular uterine contractions are felt but the cervix is not affected
- False labour, prodromal labour, and Braxton hicks are all names for contractions that do no cause a measurable change in the cervix
true labour
- Characterized by contractions occurring at regular intervals that increase in frequency, duration, and intensity
- True labour contractions bring about cervical dilation and effacement
- Contractions will continue with rest and activity
characteristics of contractions
increment, acme, decrement
increment of contractions is the
building up of the contraction
acme of contractions is the
strongest, top portion of contraction
decrement of contractions is the
rapid diminishing of contraction
abdominal muscles are the ________ _______ in labour
secondary powers
abdominal muscles in labour involve the use of
intra-abdominal pressure (voluntary muscle contractions) exerted by the client when pushing and bearing down during the second stage of labour
when assessing contractions we want to assess the
frequency
duration
intensity
relaxation