Module 2: Labor and Birth

Question 1

What are 3 benefits of breathing techniques during labor?

Answer 1

Can help with relaxation and distraction.

Can help ease tension in the body.

Can give laboring woman a sense of control

Question 2

what are endorphins?

Answer 2

body’s natural pain relieving hormone

Question 3

What are some Central nervous system control (Mind control) methods that a mom can use during labor?

Answer 3

deep abdominal breathing. visualization, muscle relaxation, aromatherapy, music, meditation

Question 4

mind control methods releases ____ throughout body and is activated by our ________.

Answer 4

endorphins, thoughts

Question 5

What is hydrotherapy?

Answer 5

Uses water to relieve pain during labor.

Question 6

How can you implement hydrotherapy during labor?

Answer 6

Laboring in the shower or the tub

Question 7

What is nitrous oxide?

Answer 7

Laughing gas that is inhaled during labor to aid in pain management

Question 8

What are 3 benefits of nitrous oxide?

Answer 8

It’s short acting.

It’s cleared out of the body quickly by mom and baby

Does not require continuous fetal monitoring because there are no known effects on baby

Question 9

What are 3 side effects of nitrous oxide?

Answer 9

Dizziness, nausea/vomiting, drowsiness

Question 10

How is nitrous oxide administered?

Answer 10

Self administered by mama through a mask

Question 11

Name 4 types of IV pain medications used during labor?

Answer 11

Morphine, fentanyl, Nubian, and stadol

Question 12

What can happen to baby if iv pain medicines ( opioids) are given too close to delivery?

Answer 12

baby can have trouble breathing, reduced muscle tone, trouble suckling, etc

Question 13

What are 3 side effects of opioid iv pain medications?

Answer 13

Itching, nausea/ vomiting, drowsiness

Question 14

What are some benefits of iv pain medications?

Answer 14

Fairly powerful, and can take effect quickly, lasting several hours

Question 15

Can iv pain medications get to the baby?

Answer 15

All opioids cross the placenta and can get to baby. Baby will eventually clear the medication, but it takes them longer than adults.

Question 16

Dr Rankins does not give opioids to moms after ____ cm in order to reduce the risk that it will be in baby’s system during birth?

Answer 16

7

Question 17

Are iv pain medications and epidurals equally effective at managing pain?

Answer 17

No, epidurals are stronger.

Question 18

What did a midwife tell Dr. Rankins to have mom’s do if they are shivering uncontrollably after receiving an epidural?

Answer 18

Stick their toungue out so the shivering stops

Question 19

What are the side effects/risks of an epidural?

Answer 19

Uncontrollable shivering
intense itching
drop in mom’s blood pressure which can cause baby’s heart rate to drop
headache
Can reduce breastfeeding (short term)

Question 20

How is an epidural given?

Answer 20

A catheter is placed in the epidural space along the spine

Question 21

Can a epidural be used for a c section

Answer 21

Yes

Question 22

What is Remifentanil?

Answer 22

New, short acting opioid given through an IV for pain relief during labor

Question 23

What are the benefits of remifentanil?

Answer 23

Can be given right up until delivery because it clears mom and baby’s system quickly

Mom controls how often she gets it.

Question 24

How is remifentanil given during labor?

Answer 24

Through a PCA ( patient controlled analgesia ) pump connected to IV

Question 25

What is the biggest downside of using remifentanil during labor?

Answer 25

It requires close monitoring because it can cause breathing to slow to a dangerously low level. Mom will be nurse’s only patient.

Question 26

What are the disadvantages of getting an epidural?

Answer 26

Mom is restricted to bed, cannot walk.

Has to get a catheter for peeing bc mom can’t feel the sensation.

Continuous fetal monitoring bc of changes that can happen with heart rate

May need to be replaced. Can be more effective on one side then other.

Question 27

Why might a woman not be able to get an epidural during labor?

Answer 27

Low blood platelets

Anatomy of woman ex) having scoliosis

Question 28

Why might an epidural take time and preparation?

Answer 28

Mom has to get an IV placed to receive lots of fluid since blood pressure can drop.

Staff has to get equipment and pump together

Staff has to get the epidural placement kit, needles, and catheters.

Pharmacy has to get the medication ready

Anesthesiologist may not be immediately available. Could be at home or with other sick patients ( they get priority since epidural is for comfort not necessity).

Question 29

Should mom be completely numb with an epidural?

Answer 29

No because she needs to push! Medication can be turned down or stopped.

Question 30

If epidural medicine is stopped, will mom feel pain again right away?

Answer 30

No, it takes about an hour for full sensations to come back.

Question 31

What is the ring of fire?

Answer 31

The burning or stinging sensation laboring woman feels when baby’s head presses on and stretches vaginal opening

Question 32

What is crowning during birth ?

Answer 32

When you can see the top of the baby’s head through the vaginal opening

Question 33

What is implantation bleeding?

Answer 33

Small amount of light spotting or bleeding after conception

Question 34

What is conception?

Answer 34

The action of conceiving a child aka impregnation

Question 35

When does each trimester start and end? How long is each trimester?

Answer 35

First trimester: from conception to 13 weeks

Second trimester: week 14 to week 27

Third trimester: week 28 to week 40