Normal & Abnormal Labour/Antenatal Care Flashcards
What happens during the first stage of labour?
What is the progression?
Cervix dilation from 4cm to 10cm
Progression of 0.5 cm per hour
What happens during the second stage of labour?
How long does it last?
This is from full dilation of cervix (10cm) until delivery of the baby
Should last 2-3 hours
What happens during the third stage of labour?
How long does it last?
From delivery of the baby until delivery of the placenta
Should last up to 1 hour
What are the 8 cardinal movements of labour as they happen during birth?
- head floating before engagement
- engagement - descent, flexion
- further descent, internal rotation
- complete rotation, beginning extension
- complete extension
- restitution (external rotation)
- delivery of anterior shoulder
- delivery of posterior shoulder
What are the 7 cardinal movements of labour in order?
- Engagement
- Descent
- Flexion
- Internal rotation
- Extension
- External rotation (restitution)
- Expulsion
Every Day Fine Infants Enter Eager and Excited
What is meant by the cardinal movements of labour?
changes in the position of the foetus’s head during its passage in labor
What are the 3 P’s that describe the causes of abnormal pregnancy?
- passenger
- power
- passage
What can go wrong with each of the 3 P’s?
- passenger - the size, position or distress
- power - inadequate contractions
- passage - pelvic dimensions
What are the 3 types of forceps used in assisted pregnancy?
- neville-barns
- keillands
- ventouse
What is a breech delivery?
When the baby’s bum or legs present first
What is the difference between a cephalic and transverse presentation?
Cephalic presentation is the ideal position for birth - the baby’s head is presenting
Transverse presentation is when the baby is lying with its head to either side
What is the definition of pain?
An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience arising from actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage
What is the definition of pain relating to the woman in labour?
Whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever she says it does
What are the 2 main non-pharmacological pain reliefs?
- water birth
2. transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
What are the pharmacological ways of giving pain relief?
- oral
- inhalation
- injection
What are the regional ways of giving pain relief?
- epidural
- spinal
- combined epispinal
What are the stages in the analgesic ladder?
- non-opioid such as paracetamol, aspirin or NSAID
- add an opioid for mild-moderate pain such as codeine or tramadol
- add opioid for moderate to severe pain - morphine, fentanyl
What pain relief methods are used in early pregnancy?
- simple analgesia - paracetamol and codeine
- TENS
- water and heat
- meditation and relaxation techniques
What non-pharmacological analgesia methods are used during late pregnancy and early labour?
- TENS
- warm water - bath or water birth
- support from birth partner or midwife
- reassurance
What are the first line pharmacological methods used in late pregnancy and early labour?
- paracetamol
2. weak opioids - codeine
What analgesic medication must NOT be used in pregnancy?
Why?
Ibuprofen
It causes premature closure of the ductus arteriosus
What inhalation agents are used as analgesia in advancing labour?
- nitrous oxide
This is known as ‘entonox’ or ‘gas and air’
What are the side effects of nitrous oxide?
dizziness, nausea and amnesia
What pharmacological analgesia is used in advancing labour?
- opioids
This is mainly diamorphine
Pethidine used to be used (except in epilepsy)
What are the side effects of diamorphine?
- sedation
- nausea and vomiting
- respiratory depression