Normal Labour

Question 1

What happens in normal labour?

Answer 1

The Fetus, placenta and membranes are expelled via the birth canal

Question 2

When does normal labour normally occur?

Answer 2

37-42 weeks

Question 3

What is classed as premature labour?

Answer 3

Less than 37 weeks

Question 4

What physiological changes occur to allow for the expulsion of the fetus?

Answer 4

Cervix softens

Myometrium tone changes to allow for coordinated contractions

Question 5

What happens to the level of progesterone during labour?

Answer 5

It decreases

Question 6

What happens to the level of prostaglandins and oxytocin?

Answer 6

They increase

Question 7

How is the release of oxytocin stimulated?

Answer 7

Stretching of the cervix sends signals to the hypothalamus and posterior pituitary to release oxytocin

Question 8

What is the role of oxytocin?

Answer 8

It travels to the uterus via the blood and starts stimulating contractions

Question 9

How is the release of prostaglandins stimulated?

Answer 9

When the baby is ready, it causes the placenta to release prostaglandins

Question 10

What do prostaglandins do?

Answer 10

Th prostaglandins stimulate uterine contractions

Question 11

What will the uterine contractions cause?

Answer 11

Thinning of the uterus

Question 12

What is thinning of the uterus called?

Answer 12

Effacement

Question 13

What will effacement lead to?

Answer 13

Dilatation of the uterus

Question 14

How many stages of labour are there?

Answer 14

Three

Question 15

What are the different phases of the first stage of labour?

Answer 15

Early phase
Active phase
Transition phase

Question 16

What is the first phase?

Answer 16

The time between the onset of regular contractions and full dilatation of the cervix

Question 17

Are the contractions during the early phase regular or irregular?

Answer 17

Irregular

Question 18

What is the cervical dilatation in early phase?

Answer 18

Up to 3cm

Question 19

How long can the active phase last?

Answer 19

8-12 hours

Question 20

Are the contractions in the active phase regular or irregular?

Answer 20

Painful, regular contractions

Question 21

What is the cervical dilatation in the active phase?

Answer 21

3-10cm

Question 22

What is the cervical dilatation in the transition phase?

Answer 22

8-10cm

Question 23

What physical changes might someone in the transition phase experience?

Answer 23

Shaking
Vomiting
Need to empty bowels

Question 24

What happens in the second stage of labour?

Answer 24

Begins with complete dilatation and ends in delivery

Question 25

How many cm is complete dilatation?

Answer 25

10cm

Question 26

How long does the second stage of labour last?

Answer 26

2 to 3 hours

Question 27

What does the length of the second stage of labour depend on?

Answer 27

If a woman is nulliparous or multiparous

Question 28

What occurs in the second stage of labour?

Answer 28

The expulsion of placenta and the membranes

Question 29

Why does the placenta have to be delivered properly?

Answer 29

It could cause a haemorrhage if it isn’t

Question 30

What is the active management in the third stage of labour?

Answer 30

Using uterotonic drugs to encourage the delivery of the placenta

Question 31

What is an example of a uterotonic drug?

Answer 31

Syntocinon (synthetic oxytocin)