The Woman with an Intrapartum Complication Flashcards
Birth is one of the most natural processes that we endure
Complications can arise that make childbirth hazardous for the woman and her baby
Friedman’s labor curve
What is typically used as an expectation to how labors should progress
___ birth
Is when birth occurs without a trained attendant present
Precipitous birth
* Could have a normal labor and then a precipitous birth happen
___ labor
Is a labor longer than the expected curve
Can progress 1 cm an hour (the average) - these women will move toward a cesarean delivery
Prolonged labor
___ labor
Is faster than the curve; within 3 hours of labor onset are fully dilated
* Promote fetal oxygenation and maternal comfort
Precipitous labor
A precipitous labor and prolonged second stage could occur
___ labor is one that does not result in the normal progression of cervical effacement, dilation, and fetal descent
Dysfunctional [labor]
See it as a prolonged labor or in unusually short and intense labors
* In true labor, a progressive cervical change is occurring
___ is a general term that describes any difficult labor or birth
* Results as a problem from the 4 “P’s”
- Powers
- Passenger
- Passage
- Psyche
Dystocia
Problems of the Powers
- Ineffective Contractions
- Hypotonic Labor Dysfunction
- Hypertonic Labor Dysfunction - Ineffective Maternal Pushing
Both 1 and 2 can be caused by maternal fatigue, maternal inactivity, fluid and electrolyte imbalances, hypoglycemia, excessive analgesia or anesthesia, maternal catecholamine secretion, and uterine overdistention (in multifetal pregnancies, LGA, polyhydramnios)
?
Occurs where contractions are too weak to be effective (occurs in active labor and is associated with uterine overdistention)
* Perform an amniotomy
* Administer synthetic oxytocin
Hypotonic labor dysfunction
?
Are uncoordinated, erractic contractions that are painful but ineffective
* See a high uterine resting tone as in placental abruption (low intensity, high frequency contractions)
⇒ 1 way to differentiate this from a contraction is to have a warm water bath
Hypertonic labor dysfunction
Problems of the Passenger
- Fetal Size
- Abnormal Fetal Presentation (military/brow/face presentations)
- Abnormal Fetal Position (OP vs OA vs OT; a poorly flexed head creates a larger diameter)
- Multifetal Pregnancies (leads to distention of the uterus; 1 vertex, 1 breech)
- Fetal Anomalies (e.g. fetal tumors)
Fetal size
- Due to issues of CPD (cephalopelvic disproportion)
Macrosomia - large babies
Shoulder dystocia - head gets delivered but shoulders stuck at pubic bone; is an obstetric emergency
Which is the best fetal presenting position?
A
The cervix will dilate to 10 cm
Describe each presenting position of the fetus.
A = flexed, head down
B = military
C = Brow
D = Face
Problems of the Passage
Pelvis
Maternal soft tissue obstructions
* Increased risk of uterine rupture
* Consider maternal bladder
Pelvis Types
- Gynecoid
- Platypelloid
- Android
- Anthropoid
?
Occurs in 25% of white women
The next “best” pelvis shape to gynecoid
Anthropoid
?
Occurs in 50% of women
Is of the “best” shape of pelvis to have
Gynecoid
?
Occurs in 30% of women and leads to a poor prognosis
Android
?
Occurs in 3% of women and leads to a poor prognosis
Platypelloid
Problems of the Psyche
Remember: when the body perceives stress, it does what?
- Enters a fight-or-flight mode
- See increased glucose consumption which has a decreased energy supply for the uterus
- Maternal release of catecholamines - affects uterine perfusion and uterine contractility (mother’s contractions and pushing efforts will be less effective)
- Psyche will initiate problems of the powers
- Increase pain perception = decreases pain tolerance and increases anxiety and stress
What can we do?
- Maintain a good relationship with the patient
- Provide a good and comfortable environment
- Provide education
- Use pharmacological and non-pharmacological techniques