Complications of Labor and Delivery

Question 1

Causes of Failure to Progress

Answer 1

Causes: 
slow cervical dilations
slow effacement
large baby
small birth canal or pelvis
delivery of multiple babies
emotional factors: worry fear and stress
pain medication can slow or weaken uterine contractions

Question 2

Fetal Distress or Non-reassuring Fetal Status

Answer 2

an irregular fetal heartbeat
problems with muscle tone and movement
low levels of amniotic fluid

underlying causes and conditions:
insufficient oxygen levels
maternal anemia
pregnancy induced hypertension
intrauterine growth retardation 
meconium-stained amniotic fluid

Question 3

Perinatal Asphyxia definition

Answer 3

“failing to initiate and sustain breathing at birth”

Question 4

Shoulder Dystocia definition

Answer 4

the baby’s head is delivered vaginally but the shoulders remain inside the mother

Question 5

Excessive Bleeding or Postpartum Hemorrhage

Answer 5

Average blood loss is 500 mL for vaginal birth and 1000 mL for cesarean birth

can result in :
low blood pressure
organ failure
shock
death

Question 6

Malposition

Answer 6

Malposition

Question 7

Placenta Previa

Answer 7

Placenta Previa

Question 8

Uterine Rupture

Answer 8

Uterine Rupture

Question 9

Rapid Labor

Answer 9

Rapid Labor

Question 10

Cephalopelvic Disproportion

Answer 10

Cephalopelvic Disproportion

Question 11

Definition of Prolonged Labor

Answer 11

labor lasting over 20 hours for a first birth or

over 14 hours for those who have already given birth once or more

Question 12

Strategies to help with Fetal Distress

Answer 12

change the mother's position
increase maternal hydration
maintain maternal oxygenation
amnioinfusion
tocolysis
intravenous hypertonic dextrose
cesearian delivery

Question 13

Tocolysis

Answer 13

A temporary stoppage of contractions to avoid preterm labor

Question 14

Amnioinfusion

Answer 14

Fluid is inserted into the amniotic cavity to relieve pressure on the umbilical cord

Question 15

Perinatal Asphyxia symptoms before birth and at birth

Answer 15

before birth:
low heart rate
low pH levels

at birth:
low APGAR score of 0 to 3 for more than 5 minutes

poor skin color
low heart rate
weak muscle tone
gasping
week breathing
meconium-stained amniotic fluid

Question 16

Perinatal Asphyxia can lead to :

Answer 16

hypoxemia
high levels of CO2
acidosis

Question 17

Treatment for Perinatal Asphyxia

Answer 17

before birth:
provide oxygen to the mother

cesarean delivery

after birth:
mechanical breathing
medication

Question 18

Postpartum Hemorrhage risk factors

Answer 18

placental abruption or placenta previa
uterine overdistention
multiple gestation pregnancy
pregnancy induced hypertension
several prior births
prolonged labor
use of forceps or vacuum assisted delivery
use of general anesthesia or medications to induce or to stop labor
infection
obesity

Question 19

Shoulder Dystonia treatment

Answer 19

changing the mother’s position
manually turning the baby’s shoulders

episiotomy/ surgically widening of the vagina

Question 20

Episiotomy definition

Answer 20

surgical widening of the vagina