Labour & Birth

Question 1

Maternal Obs: Systolic & diastolic norms?

Answer 1

Systolic: 100 - 140

Diastolic: 50 - 90

Question 2

Maternal Obs: Respiratory rate norms?

Answer 2

Between 11 and 20 breaths

Question 3

Maternal Obs: Heart rate norm?

Answer 3

Between 50 and 100 beats per minute

Question 4

Newborn Obs: Respiratory rate norm?

Answer 4

Between 30 and 60 breaths

Question 5

Newborn Obs: Heart rate norm?

Answer 5

Between 110 and 160 beats per minute

Question 6

Newborn Obs: Temperature Norm?

Answer 6

Between 36.5 and 37.5 •c

Question 7

Maternal Obs: Temperature norm?

Answer 7

Between 36 and 37.5 •c

Question 8

What is the definition of the first stage of Labour?

Answer 8

Onset of regular contractions alongside progressive effacement and dilation of the cervix.

Question 9

What is the latent phase?

Answer 9

A combination of painful contractions with some cervical change up to 4 cm dilated.

Question 10

What is the established phase?

Answer 10

A combination of painful contractions with cervical change from 4 cm dilated.

Question 11

What is the transition phase?

Answer 11

From 8 to 10 cm dilated or until expulsive efforts are made.

Question 12

What is the definition of the second stage of Labour?

Answer 12

Full dilation to the birth of the baby.

Question 13

What is the definition of the third stage of Labour?

Answer 13

From birth of the baby to the expulsion of the placenta.

Question 14

What is a physiological third stage?

Answer 14

Natural birthing of the placenta without intervention (expected to happen in within 60 minutes).

Question 15

What is active management?

Answer 15

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).

Question 16

During an initial assessment, what would you consider clinically?

Answer 16

• 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.

Question 17

During an initial assessment, what would you discuss with the woman?

Answer 17

• 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.

Question 18

CTG: What does Dr stand for?

Answer 18

Define Risk (for example, reduced fetal movement).

Question 19

CTG: What does ‘C’ stand for?

Answer 19

Contractions

Question 20

CTG: What does ‘Bra’ stand for?

Answer 20

Baseline rate (the average fetal heart rate for example 136)

Question 21

CTG: What does ‘V’ stand for?

Answer 21

Variability (between >5 and <25 bpm)

Question 22

CTG: What does ‘A’ stand for?

Answer 22

Accelerations (above the baseline rate for 15 seconds for 15 beats).

Question 23

CTG: What does ‘D’ stand for?

Answer 23

Deceleration (below the baseline rate for 15 seconds for 15 beats).

Question 24

CTG: What does ‘O’ stand for?

Answer 24

Overall picture
• Antenatal (normal or abnormal)
• Intrapartum (normal, suspicious or pathological)