T2 L22 Pregnancy and birth Flashcards
How is labour initiated?
Remains uncertain
Multifactorial in origin - hormonal and mechanical
Describe how labour initiation is mechanical?
Stimulation of uterus and cervix caused by overstitching and pressure
What happens during the initiation of labour?
Foetal hypothalamus is triggered Maternal posterior pituitary releases oxytocin Decidua releases prostaglandins Increase in oestrogen Decrease in progesterone
What are the stages of labour?
Latent phase
1st stage
2nd stage
3rd stage
What happens in the latent phase of labour?
Effacement of cervix
Contractions
Intensity varies
What is effacement?
Cervix softens, shortens and thins
Describe the stages of effacement of the cervix during labour
Before labour - 0% effacement
Early effacement - 30%
Complete effacement -100%
Complete dilatation
What happens during the first stage of labour?
Duration from established labour to full cervical dilation
Vaginal examinations carried out every 4 hours
Descent of foetal head in relation to ischial spine
What is the rate of cervical dilation if this is their first baby?
0.5 cm per hour
How is labour diagnosed?
Painful, regular contractions
Cervical effacement
Dilation of cervix of 4cms or more
What is the second stage of labour?
Duration from full dilation to delivery of the baby
Describe the mechanism of birth
1) Head at pelvic brim in OT position
2) Flexion of neck
3) Head descends and engages
4) Head reaches pelvic floor and rotates to OA position
5) Head delivers by extension
6) Head restitutes
7) Shoulders rotate into anterior / posterior diameter of pelvis
8) Anterior shoulder delivered by lateral flexion from downward pressure on baby’s head
9) Posterior shoulder delivered by upward lateral flexion
What happens in the 3rd stage of labour?
Delivery of the placenta
What are the 2 methods of delivering the placenta?
Active management
Physiological
How is the placenta delivered by active management?
Oxytocin given I.M. into maternal thigh
Causes sustained uterine contraction
Aids delivery of the placenta and contraction of the placental bed
Decreases risk of postpartum haemorrhage