Normal Labour Flashcards
What happens in normal labour?
The Fetus, placenta and membranes are expelled via the birth canal
When does normal labour normally occur?
37-42 weeks
What is classed as premature labour?
Less than 37 weeks
What physiological changes occur to allow for the expulsion of the fetus?
Cervix softens
Myometrium tone changes to allow for coordinated contractions
What happens to the level of progesterone during labour?
It decreases
What happens to the level of prostaglandins and oxytocin?
They increase
How is the release of oxytocin stimulated?
Stretching of the cervix sends signals to the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary to release oxytocin
What is the role of oxytocin?
It travels to the uterus via the blood and starts stimulating contractions
How is the release of prostaglandins stimulated?
When the baby is ready, it causes the placenta to release prostaglandins
What do prostaglandins do?
Th prostaglandins stimulate uterine contractions
What will the uterine contractions cause?
Thinning of the uterus
What is thinning of the uterus called?
Effacement
What will effacement lead to?
Dilatation of the uterus
How many stages of labour are there?
Three
What are the different phases of the first stage of labour?
Early phase
Active phase
Transition phase
What is the first phase?
The time between the onset of regular contractions and full dilatation of the cervix
Are the contractions during the early phase regular or irregular?
Irregular
What is the cervical dilatation in early phase?
Up to 3cm
How long can the active phase last?
8-12 hours
Are the contractions in the active phase regular or irregular?
Painful, regular contractions
What is the cervical dilatation in the active phase?
3-10cm
What is the cervical dilatation in the transition phase?
8-10cm
What physical changes might someone in the transition phase experience?
Shaking
Vomiting
Need to empty bowels
What happens in the second stage of labour?
Begins with complete dilatation and ends in delivery
How many cm is complete dilatation?
10cm
How long does the second stage of labour last?
2 to 3 hours
What does the length of the second stage of labour depend on?
If a woman is nulliparous or multiparous
What occurs in the second stage of labour?
The expulsion of placenta and the membranes
Why does the placenta have to be delivered properly?
It could cause a haemorrhage if it isn’t
What is the active management in the third stage of labour?
Using uterotonic drugs to encourage the delivery of the placenta
What is an example of a uterotonic drug?
Syntocinon (synthetic oxytocin)
