Preparation for Labor Flashcards
What are the preliminary signs of Labor?
Lightening
Slight loss of weight
Backache
Excess energy
Braxton Hicks Contractions
Ripening of the Cervix
Lightening occurs approximately _____ before labor begins
10-14 days
Lightening gives the woman relief from the ________ and ________
diaphragmatic pressure
shortness of breath
This increase in urine production can lead to weight loss between ______ lbs
1-3 lbs
This increase in activity is related to a boost in ______ release, which is initiated by a decrease in progesterone production by the placenta
epinephrine
What are the signs of True Labor?
Uterine Contractions
Show
Rupture of membrane
true labor contractions begin in the back and sweep forward across the abdomen similar to the tightening of a rubber band.
Uterine Contractions
as the cervix softens and ripens, the _____ that filled the cervical canal during the pregnancy is expelled.
mucus plug
The exposed cervical capillaries seep blood as a result of pressure exerted by the fetus. This blood, mixed with mucus, takes on a pink tinge and is referred to as ______
show or bloody show
A woman should telephone her healthcare provider immediately when her membranes rupture as two risk are associated with ruptured membranes:
1.
2.
- intrauterine infection
- prolapse of the umbilical cord
works together with prostaglandins to initiate contractions
oxytocin
What are the components of labor?
4Ps
Passage
Passenger
Power
Psyche
The cranium, the uppermost portion of the skull is composed of eight bones. What are these?
4 SUPERIOR bones
1. frontal
2. 2 parietal
3. occipital
4 bones of the skull
1. sphenoid
2. ethmoid
3. 2 temporal bones
are the bones important in childbirth.
four superior bones
Biparietal or transverse diameter
9.5 cm
Suboccipitobregmatic measurement(smallest AP diameter)
9.5 cm
Occipitofrontal diameter
12 cm
Occipitomental diameter
13.5 cm
spaces compress during childbirth to aid in molding of the fetal head.
fontanelles
is overlapping of skull bones along the suture lines which causes a change in the shape of the fetal skull to one long and narrow, a shape that facilitates passage through the rigid pelvis.
molding
describes the degree of flexion a fetus assumes during labor or the relation of the fetal parts to each other
fetal attitude
when a fetus is in complete flexion:
the spinal column is bowed forward,
the head is flexed forward so much that the chin touches the sternum,
the arms are flexed and folded on the chest, the thighs are flexed onto the abdomen
the calves are pressed against the posterior aspect of the thighs.
Good fetal attitude
Fetus is in _______ if the chin is not touching the chest but is in an alert or military position
moderate flexion
Fetus in _______ presents the “brow” of the head to the birth canal
partial extension
Fetus in _________ , the back is arched and the neck is extended, presenting the occipitomental diameter of the head to the birth canal (face presentation).
complete extension