OB Mod IV terms Flashcards
Artificial rupture of membranes (AROM)
A procedure in which the amniotic membranes are ruptured by a certified nurse-midwife or physician, using an instrument called an amniohook. Also known as an amniotomy
Bloody show
Pink-tinged mucous secretions resulting from rupture of small capillaries as the cervix effaces and dilates
Breech presentation
A birth in which the buttocks and/ or feet are the presenting part rather than the head
Cardinal movements
The positional changes of the fetus as it moves through the birth canal during labor and birth. The positional changes are descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, restitution, and external rotation.
Crowning
Appearance of the presenting fetal part at the vaginal orifice during labor.
Dilatation
Expansion of the external os from an opening a few millimeters in size to an opening large enough to allow the passage of the infant.
Duration
The time length of each contraction, measured from the beginning of the increment to the completion of the decrement.
Effacement
Thinning and shortening of the cervix that occurs late in pregnancy or during labor.
Engagement
The entrance of the fetal presenting part into the superior pelvic strait and the beginning of the descent through the pelvic canal.
Fetal attitude
Relationship of the fetal parts to one another. Normal fetal attitude is one of moderate flexion of the arms onto the chest and flexion of the legs onto the abdomen.
Fetal lie
Relationship of the cephalocaudal axis (spinal column) of the fetus to the cephalocaudal axis (spinal column) of the woman. The fetus may be in a longitudinal or transverse lie.
Fetal position
Relationship of the landmark on the presenting fetal part to the front, sides, or back of the maternal pelvis.
Fetal presentation
The fetal body part that enters the maternal pelvis first. The three possible presentations are cephalic, shoulder, and breech.
Fontanelles
In the fetus, unossified space, or soft spot, consisting of a strong band of connective tissue lying between the cranial bones of the skull.
Frequency
The time between the beginning of one contraction and the beginning of the next contraction
Intensity
The strength of a uterine contraction during acme.
Lightening
Moving of the fetus and uterus downward into the pelvic cavity.
Malpresentations
Presentations of the fetus into the birth canal that are not “normal”-that is, brow, face, shoulder, or breech presentations.
Molding
Shaping of the fetal head by overlapping of the cranial bones to facilitate movement through the birth canal during labor
Presenting part
The fetal part present in or on the cervical os.
Spontaneous rupture of membrates (SROM)
The breaking of the “water” or membranes marked by the expulsion of amniotic fluid from the vagina.
Station
Relationship of the presenting fetal part to an imaginary line drawn between the pelvic ischial spines.
Sutures
Fibrous connection of opposed joint surfaces, as in the skull.
Accelerations
Periodic increases in the baseline fetal heart rate.
Baseline rate
Baseline fetal heart rate (BL FHR); the average fetal heart rate observed during a 10-minute period of monitoring.
Baseline variability
(BL VAR) Changes in the fetal heart rate that result from the interplay between the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems
Decelerations
Periodic decreases in the baseline fetal heart rate.
Early deceleration
A periodic decrease in fetal heart rate from the normal baseline.
Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM)
A method of placing a fetal monitor on the fetus in order to obtain a continuous tracing of the FHR, which allows many characteristics of the fetal heart rate to be observed and evaluated.
Fetal blood sampling
A procedure to collect a small amount of blood from the umbilical cord or fetus during pregnancy to diagnose, treat, and monitor various fetal problems.
Fetal bradycardia
Fetal heart rate less than 110 beats/ min during a 10-minute period or longer.
Fetal tachycardia
Sustained fetal heart rate of 161 beats/ min or higher.
Intrauterine pressure catheter
A catheter that can be placed through the cervix into the uterus to measure uterine pressure during labor. Some types of catheters may be inserted for the purpose of infusing warmed saline to add additional intrauterine fluid when oligohydramnios is present.