processes of labor and delivery Flashcards
signs of impending labor
- ‘Lightening’
- Cervical mucous/bloody show
- Weight loss due to ↑ in loose stools: Prostaglandins
- ‘Burst of energy’
- ‘Nesting’
- ↑ contractions, backache
- Change in sleep cycles, N/V/D
lightening
@ what week
- The fetus drops into the pelvis Easier to breathe, harder to walk - ↑ in Braxton-Hicks push the fetus down into ‘ready’ position - after 36 w - feel lighter at top
how many stages of labor
4
first stage
- Cervical Change (dilation/effacement)- Has 3 phases
- Onset of regular contractions to complete effacement & dilation:
- 0-10 centimeters dilation (opening)
- 0-100% effacement (thinning)
second stage
- Birth of the BABY
- Full dilation until delivery of the neonate
- 10 centimeters with descent of presenting part to birth
third stage
- Birth of the PLACENTA
- Delivery of neonate to delivery of placenta
fourth stage
Recovery
- Postpartum Stabilization: 1st 4 hours after delivery
- Maternal-newborn bonding & breastfeeding
true labor
- Regular contractions- becoming stronger and closer together (nothing makes them go away)
- Contractions start in the back and radiate to the front of the abdomen
- Leads to cervical change
- When to go to the hospital: “ 511” or “411”- When contractions are 4-5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minutes long, for at least 1 hour OR water breaks OR if pain is intolerable
false labor
- Irregular contractions- lasting different lengths (braxton hicks)
- They go away with movement, rest, position change, or drinking water
- Felt in the front/groin
- No cervical change: stays tight and thick
latent phase
0-3 cm
active phase
4-7
transition phase
8-10cm
babys positon (passenger)
The baby’s position (Passenger)
- Presentation
- Lie
- Attitude
- Fetal position in pelvis: ccephalic, breech, oblique, transverse
(want them cephalic/vertex)
ROA
back of head pointing front
LOA
back of head pointing towards left side
ROP
sunny side up, back of head posterior
- makes labor harder
- back pain
- lot of first time parents
LOP
back of head facing back towards left
first letter
expectants pelvis side right or left
second letter
fetus occiput
thirst letter
expectant front back or side
widding the pevis
- wide stance
- squat
- peanut ball
- **counter pressure
- hands and knees
frequency
Measured from beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next
- 1min- 1 1/2 min
- 2-3 min apart
duration
what does it include
Measured from start of one contraction to end of the same contraction
Includes the increment, acme and decrement
intensity
iupc
Palpation
- Mild (nose)
- Moderate (chin)
- Strong (forehead)
IUPC: measures contractions more accurately can also be used as a IV and flush water in to help with variables decel