Labour Flashcards
Define labour.
The process of giving birth.
What are the stages of labour?
Latent stage of labour - prelabour
First stage
Second stage - active labour
Third stage - Placenta delivery
What happens in the latent stage of labour?
Uncoordinated contractions
Slow dilation up to 4cm
Early admission is not recommended at this stage
How long does the latent stage of labour tend to last?
18 hours for first labour
12 hours for second labour
With each subsequent labour, the time decreases
What is caput succedaneum?
Diffuse swelling of the scalp, caused by pressure of the scalp against the dilating cervix.
What is labour triggered by?
Decreased of progesterone - pacemakers in the uterus are suppressed by progesterone, when the progesterone levels decrease, the pacemakers fire more, triggering Braxton-Hicks contractions.
What is cervical ripening?
The cervis changes from fibromuscular to stretchy material to help baby be pushed out.
Why should oxytocin be given in moderation?
Too much oxytocin can cause strong contractions leading to hypoxia fro the fetus.
