Labour & Birth Flashcards
Maternal Obs: Systolic & diastolic norms?
Systolic: 100 - 140
Diastolic: 50 - 90
Maternal Obs: Respiratory rate norms?
Between 11 and 20 breaths
Maternal Obs: Heart rate norm?
Between 50 and 100 beats per minute
Newborn Obs: Respiratory rate norm?
Between 30 and 60 breaths
Newborn Obs: Heart rate norm?
Between 110 and 160 beats per minute
Newborn Obs: Temperature Norm?
Between 36.5 and 37.5 •c
Maternal Obs: Temperature norm?
Between 36 and 37.5 •c
What is the definition of the first stage of Labour?
Onset of regular contractions alongside progressive effacement and dilation of the cervix.
What is the latent phase?
A combination of painful contractions with some cervical change up to 4 cm dilated.
What is the established phase?
A combination of painful contractions with cervical change from 4 cm dilated.
What is the transition phase?
From 8 to 10 cm dilated or until expulsive efforts are made.
What is the definition of the second stage of Labour?
Full dilation to the birth of the baby.
What is the definition of the third stage of Labour?
From birth of the baby to the expulsion of the placenta.
What is a physiological third stage?
Natural birthing of the placenta without intervention (expected to happen in within 60 minutes).
What is active management?
A prophylactic uterotonic drug is administered immediately after the birth of the baby to stimulate uterine contractions (expected within 5 to 10 minutes of administering uterotonic).
During an initial assessment, what would you consider clinically?
• Review antenatal notes and all screening results.
• Blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and urinalysis.
• Record any vaginal loss.
• Palpate abdomen, determining fundal height, fetal lie, presentation, position, engagement, presenting part and frequency/duration of contractions.
• Auscultate fetal heart for one minute.
• Offer vaginal examination.
During an initial assessment, what would you discuss with the woman?
• Listen to her preferences and emotional/physical needs.
• Ask about the length, strength, and frequency of her contractions.
• Ask about pain and discuss pain relief options.
• Ask about babies movements in the past 24 hours.
CTG: What does Dr stand for?
Define Risk (for example, reduced fetal movement).
CTG: What does ‘C’ stand for?
Contractions
CTG: What does ‘Bra’ stand for?
Baseline rate (the average fetal heart rate for example 136)
CTG: What does ‘V’ stand for?
Variability (between >5 and <25 bpm)
CTG: What does ‘A’ stand for?
Accelerations (above the baseline rate for 15 seconds for 15 beats).
CTG: What does ‘D’ stand for?
Deceleration (below the baseline rate for 15 seconds for 15 beats).
CTG: What does ‘O’ stand for?
Overall picture
• Antenatal (normal or abnormal)
• Intrapartum (normal, suspicious or pathological)
