Module 2 Flashcards
What factors affect the process of labour/birth?
The 5 Ps:
-passenger (fetus and placenta)
-passageway (birth canal)
-powers (contractions)
-position of mother
-psychological response
Define attitude in relation to fetal head
the relation of the fetal body parts to one another (general flexion)
Describe the aspects of the fetal head
-sutures and fontanelles make the skull flexible
-bony plates are not firmly united
-results in slight overlapping of the bones, called moulding
-more newborns assume their normal head shape within 3 days after birth
-back of the fetus is rounded with the chin flexed on the chest
Define presentation
the part of the fetus that enters the pelvic inlet first
can be: cephalic (head first), breech (butt or feet first), face (mentum), shoulder (scapula)
What are the types of fetal lie?
-lie is the relation of the long axis (spine) of the fetus to the long axis of the mother
longitudinal/vertical– long axis of the fetus is parallel with the long axis of the mother
transverse/horizontal– long axis of the fetus is at a right angle to the long axis of the mother (leads to c-section)
oblique lie– the long axis of the fetus is lying at an angle to the long axis of the mother (less common and usually converts to longitudinal or transverse)
What is the station?
-the relationship of the presenting fetal part of an imaginary line drawn between the maternal ischial spines
-measures the degree of descent
-measured in cm above or below the ischial spines
-1= 1cm above the ischial spine
+1= 1cm below the ischial spine
What are the primary powers of labour?
-contractions
-effacement (thinning of cervix)
-dilation
-ferguson reflex (the need to push that they can’t control)
presenting part of the fetus can mechanically stretch the cervix
stretch receptors in the posterior vagina cause the release of endogenous oxytocin that triggers the maternal urge to bear down
What is the Ferguson Reflex?
the need to push that they can’t control
Define effacement
thinning of the cervix
What are secondary powers?
bearing-down efforts
-has no effects on cervical dilation, but important in the expulsion of the newborn from the uterus and vagina after the cervix is fully dilated
How does frequent changes of position affect labour?
-relieves fatigue
-increases comfort
-improves circulation
-assists with progress
-gravity promotes descent of fetus
Define Gravida
a person who is pregnant– the number of pregnancies regardless of the outcome
Define parity
number of pregnancies (not fetuses) that have reached 20 weeks (viability)
-not affected if the fetus is born alive or stillborn
What are some signs that precede labour?
-water breaks
-loses mucous plug
-lightening (drop)
-cervical changes
-nesting
-Braxton Hicks
-flu-like symptoms
-weight loss (0.5-1.5kg) from fluid
What happens during the first stage of labour?
0-10cm (latent is the 0-3cm and active is 4-10cm dilated)
onset of regular contractions to full dilation of the cervix
