Uterine contractions Flashcards
1
Q
What do uterine contractions temporarily stop
A
Retroplacental pool of blood necessary for oxygen transfer or compress the umbilical cord
2
Q
What are contraction parameters
A
- relaxation time
- contraction duration
- contraction amplitude
- contraction surface
- contraction frequency
3
Q
Manual palpation
A
1st & last part of the contraction may not be palpable
Duration may be estimated and may be less than actual contraction
Contraction frequency can be correctly assessed.
4
Q
External tocography ( CTG)
A
Placed on the fundus
Detects myometrial contractility by a change in antero-posterior diameter of the abdomen resulting from uterine contractions
Shows contraction frequency
5
Q
Myometrium
A
A phasic (more suited to movement) muscle
6
Q
Uterine contractions
A
caused by the underlying electrical activity in the myometrial cells.
7
Q
Internal tocography
A
Unaffected by maternal position
