Woman in Labor (2): Signs of Preceding Labor Flashcards
The irregular painless contractions of pregnancy
BRAXTON HICKS CONTRACTIONS
The occurrence of these strong contractions, accompanied by engagement and descent of
the presenting, is referred to as ________
PRE-LABOR
is the setting of the presenting part in the pelvic brim or inlet. It occurs about two weeks before labor onset in primiparas and just before or during labor in multiparas.
LIGHTENING
Is when the head is still movable above the pelvic inlet on palpation.
FLOATING
Is the descent of the biparietal plane of the fetal head to a level below that of the pelvic inlet.
ENGAGEMENT
During pregnancy, the consistency of cervix is likened to an earlobe and it becomes butter-soft during labor.
RIPENING OF THE CERVIX
Is the descent of the fetal head to the inlet to a level that it can no longer be moved.
FIXATION
It is caused by the pressure of uterine
contractions and dilatation of the cervix. It is signified by a gush or steady trickle of clear fluid from the vagina.
RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES
About two weeks before labor, the woman experiences sudden
weight loss of _____ to ______ that is a result of a decline in progesterone level.
2-3 POUNDS
When the cervix dilates, this blood tinged mucus is dislodged from the cervical canal
SHOW
What are the signs of preceding labor?
- Increased Braxton-Hicks contractions
- Lightening
- Floating
- Engagement
- Fixation
- Ripening of the cervix
- Increased level of activity
- Weight loss
- Show
- Rupture of membranes
Its purpose is to assess status of amniotic fluid, consistency of
cervix, effacement, dilatation, presentation, station
and obtain pelvic measurement.
INTERNAL EXAMINATION (IE)
when the lowermost portion of the presenting part is at the
level of inlet spines, it is ___ cm station
4 cm
Nurses should not perform IE if?
the patient is bleeding during labor or has a history of bleeding during pregnancy.
when the presenting part is the perineum, it is __ cm station
+3cm
The period from the onset of true labor contractions until full
cervical dilation and effacement is achieved.
FIRST STAGE OF LABOR / CERVICAL STAGE
Two important events take place during the first stage labor
> CERVICAL DILATATION
EFFACEMENT
1st stage of labor: duration for PRIMIPARA & MULTIPARA
10-12 hrs (PRIMI)
6-8 hrs (MULTI)
The first stage of labor is divided into 3 phases:
- LATENT
- ACTIVE
- TRANSITIONAL
Which refer to the shortening of the cervical canal from a length of about 1 to 2 cm until it is paper thin.
CERVICAL EEFACEMENT
As intensity of contractions become stronger and start to cause pain
and much discomfort, the woman prefers to stay in bed.
ACTIVE PHASE
Refers to the enlargement or widening of the cervical canal.
CERVICAL DILATATION
This is a reflex where uterine contraction causes dilatation by pulling the cervix over the presenting part.
FERGUSON REFLEX