Natural Characteristics Of Labour Flashcards
What happens to the skin when labour is established?
Appears flushed and continues to flush as labour progresses
Why?
Due to vasodilation of capillaries influenced by oxytocin and progesterone production
What happens after birth?
(Skin)
Shivering and visible tremors as her body reacts to the immense energy expended
What needs to happen to cope with that?
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Needs to be warmed quickly
Why?
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To encourage placenta to separate as loss of heat and excessive cooling can delay the separation of the placenta
What happens to skin and body temp during transition?
Shivers, feet cold and covers shoulders
What’s a “purple line”?
Line that deepens and darkens as labour progressed, reaching from anal margin up to the cleft of buttocks
What’s the breathing like in 1st stage?
“Exaggerated panic” breathing
Talking and able to continue with every day tasks
Breathing in 2nd stage?
Deep breathing at the start of each contraction
Finds talking difficult and has to focus on breath throughout
Breathing in transition?
Entirely focused on breathing
Won’t talk during a contraction
May cry out at the peak of contraction
Breathing past transition?
Renewed sense of energy
Breathing will become more expiratory than inspiratory
Focused on breathing deeply
The end of contraction - more guttural sounds, sounds of involuntary pushing
Movement in early labour?
Walk around and move intuitively
Movement in active labour?
Moves with purpose
Labour dance moves to ease pain
Does not speak
May squat
Movement in transition?
Agitated and uncomfortable
Stps foot opposite to where rim of cervix remains
Rest and be thankful stage
Movement in 2nd stage?
Sense of purpose, stronger, longer and expulsive contractions
Adopts a position ready to push
Able to see rhombus of Michaeli
