Labour & Birth Flashcards
Describe an oblique lie
Baby is lying at a slight diagonal with buttocks or head just off centre of fundus
Describe a longitudinal lie
Baby is lengthways in line with the mother with either buttocks or head at fundus
Describe a transverse lie
Baby is lying across the mother with head and buttocks at the sides of the uterus
What are the THREE names for the different lie of the baby
Oblique
Longitudinal
Transverse
What are the SIX possible positions for a vertex presentation?
Left Occipitoanterior (LOA) Right Occipitoanterior (ROA) Left Occipitolateral (LOL) Right Occipitolateral (ROL) Left Occipitoposterior (LOP) Right Occipitoposterior (ROP)
Describe a left Occipitoanterior position
Occipital bone is located in the front left side of the mothers pelvis
Describe the right Occipitoanterior position
Occipital bone is located in the front right ride of the mothers pelvis
Describe the left Occipitolateral position
Occipital bone is located in the left side of the mothers pelvis
Describe the right Occipitolateral position
Occipital bone is located in the right side of the mothers pelvis
Describe the left Occipitoposterior position
Occipital bone is located in the back left of the mothers pelvis
Describe the right Occipitoposterior position
Occipital bone is located in the back right of the mothers pelvis
What are the names of the FIVE presenting parts and what are they?
Vertex - top of baby's head Brow - brow of baby's head Face - baby's face Breech - baby's legs or buttocks Shoulder - baby's shoulder
List ELEVEN possible complications of an Occipitoposterior position
- higher presenting part with wider diameters so takes longer to negotiate the pelvis
- early rupture of membranes increasing the risk of infection
- cord prolapse
- uncoordinated uterine action leading to prolonged labour
- urinary retention
- premature urge to push
- increased risk of trauma to vagina and pelvic floor
- increased risk of instrumental and/or operational delivery which may be associated with increased blood loss
- abnormal moulding which may result in an unsettled baby and increase the risk of intracranial haemorrhage
- lower apgar scores
- increased perinatal mortality and morbidity
What are the TEN possible complications of a breech presentation?
- early rupture of membranes with increased risk of infection
- uncoordinated contractions leading to prolonged labour
- increased risk of cord compression during first and second stage
- cord, foot, leg and arm prolapse
- early urge to push
- increased risk of operative delivery
- head undergoes compression and decompression increasing the risk of intracranial haemorrhage
- increased risk of trauma to the vagina and pelvic floor
- increased risk of birth asphyxia
- increased perinatal mortality and morbidity
What are the FIVE contraindications of a vaginal examination?
- bleeding
- placenta praevia
- preterm rupture of membranes
- preterm labour (initial VE should be undertaken by an obstetrician
- no consent from the woman
What are the SEVEN reasons why a vaginal examination may be undertaken?
- confirm the onset of labour
- assess progress during labour
- identify the presentation and position
- perform an artificial rupture of the membranes
- apply a fetal scalp electrode
- exclude cord prolapse following spontaneous rupture of membranes
- confirm the onset of the second stage of labour
Describe the position, consistency, effacement and dilatation of the cervix prior to labour
Posterior / Central
Firm
Non-effaced
Cervical OS closed
Describe the position, consistency, effacement and dilatation of the cervix in early labour
Anterior
Softer
Fully or partially effaced
Fully or partially dilated
During a VE, what can be felt if it is a cephalic presentation?
Smooth, round and firm and sutures or fontanelles may be felt
During a VE, what can be felt if it is a breech presentation?
Feels soft and irregular, sacrum and anus may be felt
During a VE, what can be felt if it is a face presentation?
Feels soft and irregular, orbital ridges may be felt
During a VE, what can be felt if it is a cord presentation?
Pulsations can be palpated through the membranes
What does the posterior fontanelle feel like?
A small triangular shaped area with three sutures running from it