Week 10 - Partuition Flashcards
Define partuition
-Transition from pregnant state to non-pregnant state at the end of gestation due to expulsion of products after 24 weeks
When is delivery classsed as pre-term?
-Befre 36 weeks
When is delivery classed as post-term?
-After 42 weeks
When does the uterus become palpable in pregnancy?
-12 Weeks
When does the uterus reach umbilicus during pregnancy?
-20 Weeks
When does the uterus reach the xiphisternum during pregnancy?
-36 Weeks
Why would a nurse weight the placenta after delivery?
-Often weighs the same as the baby so measures it to ensure all the placenta has been delivered
Why does the fundus move back towards the pubic symphysis at term?
-Fetal head has moved into pelvic inlet
What 3 positional factors need to be assessed towards the end of pregnancy?
- Lie -> Relationship of the long axis of the baby to the uterus
- Presentation -> Which part of the fetus is adjacent to the pelvic inlet
- Vertex -> Relationship of fetus along its axis in relation to presenting part
What is the most common positions of lie, presentation and vertex of a baby?
- Lie -> Normally longitudinal and fetus flexed
- Presentation -> Normally the head
- Vertex -> minimal diameter between presenting part and pelvic inlet
Give some abnormal presentations of the fetus at the end of pregnancy
- Breech (buttocks or foot)
- Brow
- Shoulder
In normal presentation, what is the average diameter of the head?
-9.5cm
What is the average size of the pelvic inlet?
-11cm
What can increase the size of the pelvic inlet?
-Softening of the ligaments by MMP2 and MMP9
Briefly, what is the first stage of labour?
-Creation of the birth canal by expansion of the soft tissues (Cervix, uterus and vagina) and cervical ripening
What is cervical ripening?
- Process in the first stage of labour where the thick tough cervical collagen is softened
- Involves reduction in collagen through enzymatic degradation, increases in GAGs in order to separate strands and reduce aggregation, increase in hyaluronic acid to draw in water so tissues expand
What triggers cervical ripening?
-Prostaglandins (E2 and F2x)
What effect do contractions have in the first stage of labour?
-Thin the cervix (effacement) and then dilate it