Normal labour

Question 1

Define Normal Labour

Answer 1

The process in which the fetus, placenta and memebranes are expelled, spontaneously (without any assistance from medical staff) by vaginal delivery in cephalic presentation, between37-42 weeks gestation.

Question 2

What are the three substages of stage 1 of Labour

Answer 2

Latent
Active
Transitional

Question 3

What dilation does Latent phase encompass?

Answer 3

0-3cm

Question 4

What dilation does the Active phase encompass?

Answer 4

3-7 cm dilated

Question 5

What dilation is within the transitional phase?

Answer 5

7-10cm

Question 6

What occurs in stage 2 of Labour?

Answer 6

Pushing
The fetus is born in this stage

2 substages:
Passive- 10cm dilation without expulsive contractions
Active - 10cm dilated with expulsive contractions, presenting of baby visbale.

Question 7

What occurs in stage 3 of Labour?

Answer 7

The placenta is born/expelled

This is after the baby is born.

Can take up to 60 minutes after fetus born for placenta to be expelled if done via maternal effort with no cord clamping until pulsation has stopped and no uteroonics.

Question 8

How often do you listen for the baby’s heartbeat in 1st stage of labour?

Answer 8

Every 15 minutes or after every contraction

Question 9

How often do you listen to baby’s heartbeat in the 2nd stage of labour?

Answer 9

Every 5 minutes/after every contraction

Question 10

What colour should the liquor be?

Answer 10

Straw colour or lightly pink

If blood stained, green or brown this suggests the baby is bleeding or has opened bowels which are signs of distress.

Question 11

What analgesic is often given to women in labour if they need it?

Answer 11

Entonox / nitric oxide

Can give epidural but this takes time to be effective and needs extra monitoring so would not be done if mother already in labour.