Labour ward Flashcards
What is the role of a midwife?
Midwives are involved during pregnancy and for the birth. They assess the situation to work out if further help is required
What is a “normal” birth?
One which occurs spontaneously low risk at the start and throughout The vertex position betweek 27 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. After the birth the mother are in good condition.
What are the names of the stages of labour?
Latent , 1st, 2nd, 3rd stages
What is the latent phase of labour?
When you are having contraction that are irregular still and not organised the cervix is not usually very dialated at this stage
How long is the latent phase usually?
For a first pregnancy it can be 2-3 days. it tends to be shorter in 2nd or 3rd time mothers.
Where is it advised that the latent phase happens?
Can be at home until labour is established if you are a low risk pregnancy.
What is the latent phase of labour dilation size?
0-4cm
What happens in the 1st stage of labou?
The cervic effaces and dilates up to 10cm which is full dilation. The contractions are regular at this point and should be 3-10 minutes they also get stronger.
What is the normal progression of dilation in first stage of labour?
0.5cm per hour
When is the second stage of labour?
From full dilatation 10 cm up until the birth of the baby
How long does the first stage of labour last?
8-18 hours for first time women or 5-12 if nor first time
How long is the 2nd stage usually?
2-3 hours or could be 5 minutes. Sometimes labour will stop and pause for an hour at this stage.
What is the third stage of the birth?
After the baby is born to the expulsion of the placenta.
What are the options for the third stage of labour?
can have an injection to speed it up or can just go ahead and have the baby.
What is the role of Oxytocin?
a sue in levesls at the oneet of labour initiates and continues the contractions of the uterus
What is the role of adrenaline in birht?
a surge is released right before birth to help give extra energu for a push
What is the role of prostaglandins in the birht?
They cause the cervix to soften and ripen
What is the role of the oestrogen in birth?
Surges at the onset of labour to inhibit progesterone to prepare the smooth muscles for labour
What is the most common presentation?
cephalic 94%
What is breech presentation?
bottom or feet first
What is transverse lie?
When the baby is lying across the abdomen
What is the best position for a baby to be born?
Left occipito anterior is the most advantageous LOA
Where do contractions start inthe uterus?
At the fundus then they pass down into the rest of the uterus
What stimulates the uterus?
The hormone oxytocin.
How long is the cervical canall usually?
4cm
What helps the fetal skull pass through the pelvis?
The fact that the sutures are not fused on a baby’s skull.
What are fontanells?
The area on a baby’s skull that are not fused yet
What are the two fontanellse?
Anterior which is between pariatal and frontal and posterior which is between the parietal and occiputal bonesq
What is the name of the suture at the front middle of the babys head?
Metopic or frontal suture
What is the middle posterior suture calle?
saggital sutrue
What is the anterior horizontal suture called?
coronal suture
What is the posterior horizontal suture called?
Lambdoid suture
What is the sinciput?
The front of the babys skull
What are the mechanisms or labour for the baby coming out (active labour)?
descent, flexion internal rotation, restitution external rotation and delivery of the body
What is decention in labour?
The foetus decends into the pelvis this usually occurs after 37 weeks but cna take until labour it is encouraged by increased musclular tone
What is flexion in labour?
The fetus’s head pusehs on the pelvic floor and causes the neck to flex and cases the skull diameter to shrink.
What is internal rotation in labour?
When the baby’s head is pushed against the pelvic floor by contractions and the forward and backward motion allows it to rotate to fit through the pelvis. the ociput is anterior at this stage
What is crowning?
the head no longer retreats after contraction through the vulva
What is extension?
This is when the baby’s head extends onece tit has passed through the vagina and puts pressure on the perineum. This is after its passed through the suprapubic arch.
What is external rotation?
the baby must rotate after head has been born to fit shoulders through the widest part of the vagina
what is restituation/
when the shoulders are aliggned with the head after rotation
What does the midwife do after restitution/
They apply downward pressure to the fetus to deliver anterior shoulder then lift up the head to deliver posterior shoulder
