PBL 1 Flashcards
what are 2 potential signs that labour is going to begin?
rupturing of the amniotic sac- water breaks
plug of mucus/blood may fall out of the opening to the cervix - the blood show
what is the first stage of labour?
its from the onset of contractions until they become more regular and intense
there are 2 stages to this, latent phase and active stage
what is the latent phase of labour?
the dilation of the cervix begins and the cervix becomes softer
there will be mild, irregular contractions lasting 30 seconds each
what is the active stage of the first stage of labour?
contractions are much more regular and intense (every 3 mins lasting 1 min each)
dilation of cervix reaches 10cm when there should be crowning
the cervix should be 100% effaced
when does the amniotic sac rupture if it did not rupture before labour?
in the active stage of labour due to increased intrauterine pressure caused by contractions
what does it mean if amniotic fluid comes out smelly and green?
then there eis probably meconium in amniotic fluid -this is worrying because the foetus can swallow this and meconium aspiration can cause respiratory problems
what is an amniotomy?
artificial rupturing of the amniotic membranes
what is failure to progress?
when labor slows and delays delivery of the baby.
at what cervical dilation is labour established?
4cm
how long can the latent stage of labour last?
hours to days
what is the 2nd stage of labour?
when the cervix is fully dilated until the birth of the baby
where does the power for pushing the baby out come from?
levator ani muscles
why is the baby propelled downwards into the vagina?
because the uterus is only fixed onto the cervix so the contractions will lower the fundus
if you are nulliparous, how long should it take to push the baby out?
no more than 3 hours
if you are multiparous how long should it take to push the baby out?
2 hours
why do women experience Braxton hicks?
They tone the muscles in your uterus and may also help prepare the cervix for birth.
how many contractions should you be having in 10 minutes?
3-4
why do you still experience contractions after giving birth?
as the uterus contracts to shrink back down to its original size and your body is also working to compress blood vessels in the uterus to prevent too much bleeding
why is it important that human skulls are made up on fontanelles?
as they allow for movement/overlapping to reduce the diameter of the skull as the baby moves through the birth canal
what should foetal attitude be when giving birth?
fully flexed- head to chest and limbs tucked in
what’s the most ideal foetal lie for giving birth?
longitudina;
what are the 3 types of foetal presentation
cephalic
breech
shoulder
when do babies tend to get into the cephalic position/engage?
at about 32-36 weeks
what position for babies is the best to engage in?
occiput anterior position
head down facing the back
what are the 7 cardinal movement of labour?
engagement descent flexion internal rotation extension external rotation expulsion
what is engagement?
when th widest part of the foetuses head has passed the pelvic inlet
what is descent?
he movement of your
baby’s head through the bony part of the pelvis and reaches the depth
of the pelvic cavity.
what is flexion?
when the foetal chin presses against its chest due to resistance from the pelvic floor
what is internal rotation?
foetal shoulder internally rotate 45 degrees so the widest part of the shoulders are aligned with the widest part of the pelvic inlet
what is extension?
the head passes through the pelvis
at the nape of the neck, a rest occurs as the neck is under the pubic arch
what is external rotation?
After the head of your baby is born, there is a slight pause in the action of labor. During this pause, your baby will rotate from face-down to 90 degrees to face towards one of your thighs.
what is expulsion?
Your baby’s body follows the rotation of the head and this allows the top
and then bottom shoulders to be born
why does the baby have to rotate during brith?
as in the pelvic inlet, the anteroposterior diameter is smaller than the transverse diameter but at the pelvic outlet the anteroposterior diameter is larger
why should the woman not push as the baby’s head comes out?
so the baby’s head can be born slowly, giving time for the perineum to stretch and preventing ripping
what is an episiotomy?
a small cut in the perineum to make your vaginal opening larger for childbirth.
what is the 3rd stage of labour?
after your baby is born, when your womb contracts and the placenta comes out through your vagina.