Normal Labour and its Management Flashcards
Is Progesterone a retention factor or a releasing factor for Labour? How does it work?
Retention factor
Dampens excitability of smooth muscle in uterus and strengthens the sphincter at the Internal Os
Is being Hypervolaemic a state which helps retain a pregnancy, or release one? Why?
Retention factor
Inhibits hormones of the Posterior pituitary gland i.e. Oxytocin / Vasopression which therefore dampens uterine contractility
Is Adrenaline a retention or a releasing factor for Labour? How does it work?
Retention factor
Blocks secretion of oxytocin
Is Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) a retention or a releasing factor for Labour? How does it work?
Retention factor
Prevents labour onset by inhibiting Prostaglandin production.
Is Oestrogen a retention or a releasing factor for Labour? How does it work?
Releasing factor
Increases the sensitivity of the uterine muscle to oxytocin
Is Oxytocin a retention or a releasing factor for Labour? How does it work?
Releasing factor
Increases uterine contractions, as there are specific receptors in the myometrium
Is Cortisol a retention or a releasing factor for Labour? How does it work?
Releasing factor
Decreases progesterone secretion
Are Prostaglandins a retention or a releasing factor for Labour? How does it work?
Releasing factor
Increases myometrial contractility, and relaxes the cervical sphincter
What are the four types of Pelvises?
- Gynecoid
- Android
- Anthropoid
- Platypelloid
What is the most favourable Pelvis type for the mechanism of Labour? Why?
Gynecoid, narrow pubic arch and short ischial spine
All uteri have some degree of resting tone - what is it?
2 to 10mmHg
What is the name of the two fontanelles in a foetal skull?
Anterior fontanelle
Posterior fontanelle
Which of the fontalles appear “diamond” shaped?
Anterior fontanelle
At what stage of a pregnancy does a baby engage with the pelvis?
36 weeks
What are the 7 Cardinal movements of Labour?
- Engagement
- Descent
- Flexion
- Internal Rotation
- Extension
- External Rotation
- Expulsion
State the four stages of Labour
- Latent phase
- First stage
- Second stage (active and passive)
- Third stage
At what stage of labour does the birth of a child occur?
Active sub-stage of the second stage
What occurs in the Third stage of labour?
Delivery of the placenta and membranes, contraction, and haemostasis
In the first stage of labour, what occurs?
Onset of regular contractions, 3-4cm to 10cm dilation
When should a birth plan be made and evaluated with a midwife?
36 weeks
Why might an Episiotomy occur?
To prevent a third degree tear into the anal sphincter
What combination drug can be administered to induce uterine contractions to expel the placenta? What are the two individual drugs? When is it adminisitered?
Syntometrin (Oxytocin + Ergometrine)
Administered in the third stage of labour
For labour, a woman should ideally progress by how many cm per hour?
1cm per hour
What is Entenox pain relief?
50% oxygen, 50% Nitrous Oxide
