Week 3 Flashcards
What is labour?
Labour is the complex physical, psychological and emotional experience.
What is labour determined by?
Labour is determined by regular, painful contractions increasing in intensity, frequency and duration that cause the cervical effacement and dilation.
The 1st stage of labour is divided into 3 phases and what are they?
Latent phase -0 to 4cm cervical dilation; contractions are irregular and less intense
Active Phase - occurs from 4cm dilation; contractions are regular.
Transitional Phase- occurs between 8-10cm dilation.
What is the 2nd stage of labour?
This is when the woman reaches full dilation (10cm).
The woman has a compulsive urge to push.
It is when the birth of the baby happens.
What is the 3rd stage of labour?
This is when the woman has to birth the placenta.
What is Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH)?
This is bleeding from the genial tract in excess of 500mL within the 24hrs of birth.
What are some of the causes Postpartum Haemorrhage (PPH)?
- tone of the uterus
- trauma - vagina wall damage, cervix tear
- thrombin - clotting disorders
- tissue- placenta left behind
What are the signs of PPH?
- visible bleeding
- maternal collapse
- pallor
- increasing pulse rate
- falling BP
- altered consciousness
- enlarged uterus
What is the treatment for PPH?
-Call for help=obstetric emergency
-Stop the bleeding
~rub the fundus
~oxytocic medication
~empty the uterus and bladder
-Resuscitate the mother
~IV fluids
~bimanual compression if bleeding persists
~assess Hb level
List some of thing we would be doing during an assessment of a woman in labour.
- pregnancy hx = risk assessment and gestation
- description of birthplan
- maternal vital signs = PV loss
- assessing fetal wellbeing = FHR (110-160 bpm)
- providing coping strategies = promote movement, offer water, analgesia on request
