T2-Management of Discomfort during Labor and Birth Flashcards
What do breathing techniques in the first stage of labor promote? What does this do?
Promotes relaxation of the abdominal muscles and that increases the size of the abdominal cavity…this lessons discomforts and does not interfere with fetal descent
What are breathing techniques in the second stage of labor used? What does this do?
Used to increase abdominal pressure and assist in bearing down–> this assists with expelling of fetus; can also be used to relax the pudendal muscles
What do all pattens of breathing begin and end with?
Deep, relaxing, cleansing breath to “greet the contraction” and end it by “gently blowing it away”
How many breaths per min are there with slow paced breathing?
6-8 breaths per min (performed at approx half the normal breathing rate)
When are slow paced breathing techniques initiated?
When woman can no longer walk or talk through the contractions
When do we start to use the modified pace breathing?
Once contractions increase in frequency and intensity
Describe the modified pace breathing.
More complex; shallower and faster than a normal breathing rate but does not exceed twice the womans resting rate
When is the most difficult time to maintain control during contractions?
During the transition phase of the first stage of labor when the cervix dilates from 8cm-10cm
What breathing technique is suggested during the transition phase of labor?
Pattern paced (pant-blow)
What breathing technique can cause hyperventilation?
Pattern paced (pant-blow)
What does hyperventilation lead to?
Respiratory alkalosis
What are signs of resp. alkalosis?
Lightheadedness
Dizziness
Tingling of fingers
Circumoral numbness or blueness
What is the intervention if the woman is hyperventilating and experiencing resp. alkalosis?
Breathe in paper bag or cup hands around mouth and nose and breathe
What are some cutaneous stimulation strategies to enhance relaxation and decrease discomfort during labor?
- Counterpressure
- Effleurage, touch, massage
- Walking, rocking, changing positions
- Heat or cold applications
- TENS, acupressure, water therapy
What is effleurage?
What is counter pressure?
Effleurage: Light stroking of abdomen or back in rhythm with the patient’s breathing during a contraction
Counterpressure: Steady pressure applied to sacral area
What are some sensory stimulation strategies to enhance relaxation and decrease discomfort during labor?
- Aromatherapy
- Breathing techniques
- Music
- Imagery
- Focal points
What are some cognitive strategies to enhance relaxation and decrease discomfort during labor?
- Using childbirth education
- Hypnosis
- Biofeedback
Where does referred pain originate? Radiates to?
Originates in the uterus and radiates to the abdominal wall, lumbar-sacral area of the back, iliac crests, gluteal area, and down the thighs
A breathing pattern that is no more than ____ the normal rate helps reduce the chance of resp. alkalosis
2x
What do barbiturates do?
Relieve anxiety and induce sleep
When can we give barbiturates?
In early labor
When are barbiturates not used and why?
In active labor because of CNS depression in newborn
What do ataractics do?
Reduce anxiety, apprehension, and N&V, but also increases sedation
Ataractic are thought to _____ opioid analgesic medication effects
Potentiate
What may ataractics contribute to?
Maternal hypotension and neonatal depression
What are examples of ataractics?
Promethiazine (phenergan) and hydroxyzine (vistaril)
When do we give meds to the mother and why?
While patient is at the top of a contraction because the mom will get most of the drug and not as much will cross through to the baby due to vasoconstriction
What are examples of pure opioid agonists?
*agonist: Agent that stimulates a receptor to act
- Dilaudid
- Demerol (merperidine)
- Fentanyl (sublimaze)
- Sufenta (sufentanil)