Labour and its Problems

Question 1

What is labour?

Answer 1

Labour is the physiological process by which a fetus is expelled from the uterus to the outside world

It involves the sequential integrated changes in the uterine decidua, and myometrium

Changes in the uterine cervix tend to precede uterine contractions

Question 2

What are two goals of the uterine contractions?

Answer 2

To dilate cervix

To push the fetus through the birth canal

Question 3

What are the three P’s in regards to labour?

Answer 3

Powers
Passenger
Passage

Question 4

What does passenger mean in terms of labour?

Answer 4

Size of passenger
Number of passengers
Position of passenger

Question 5

What are the different ways in which a fetus can lie?

Answer 5

Transverse lie

Longitudinal lie

• Flexion - Head is flexed towards chest
• Extension - Head extended away from chest
• Breech - feet first
  
  • Frank - legs extended towards head
  • Full - ‘crossed legs’
  • Single footling breech - one foot out

Question 6

What are the options available when labour gets stuck?

Answer 6

Caesarean section
Operative delivery
- Forceps
- Vacuum extraction