Lecture 7 Flashcards
What is a babies age of Viability? (chance of it surviving if born)
7 months
What is the best position for birth in the womb?
Head down, bum up
How many stages are there of labour?
3
What are the 3 stages of labour known as?
Early labour and Active labour, Pushing, and Afterbirth
What is characteristic of early labour (stage 1)
Weak and irregular contractions can last 10-16 hours (longer in first pregnancy)
What is characteristic of active labour (stage 1)
Contractions are very strong and regular, around every 5-20 mins. Lasts 2-8 hours, dilated 7-8 cm
What is the transition phase? (active labour)
Most painful part of labour, no pushing yet, head is moving through the thinnest part of the pelvis. Extreme and constant contractions.
What is characteristic of pushing (stage 2)
Baby moves down birth canal, crowning or breech position.
What is characteristic of afterbirth (stage 3)
Happens 10-15 mins after the baby is born, placenta detaches from uterine wall, other support structures are pushed out.
What is the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and regular ones?
Braxton Hicks don’t affect cervix. Real contractions start at the top of the cervix as it thins and shortens (no dilation yet)
How does nitrous oxide help during labour?
Relaxes patient (But doesn’t kill pain). Anxiety makes contractions worse. As soon as mask is off, however, it goes out of your system
How does pitocin/oxytocin help during labour?
Induces labour and makes contractions stronger
How does Demerol affect labour?
Fentanyl like narcotic painkiller, reduces parents and babies heart rate. If it’s taken during stage 2, baby will be born sleepy
How does an Epidural affect labour?
Makes you numb from wherever it was inserted down, but causes trouble with pushing
Is a Caesarean section a safer alternative to labour?
Sometimes, but a lot of times can cause increased bleeding, risk of infection, muscles not healing, inability to lift things (however, no risk for baby)
What are some complications that can arise during labour?
Preeclampsia, Cephalopelvic Disproportion, Prolapsed Umbilical cord.
What are some symptoms of Preeclampsia and what is it?
High blood pressure, protein in urine, limb swelling. Can cause increased bleeding after childbirth.
What do a lot of African American woman die from in the states?
Preeclampsia (in Canada, we screen for it!)
What is Cephalopelvic Disproportion?
When the infants head is larger than the moms pelvis-have to do a c-section
What happens when the infants umbilical cord is prolapsed?
Gets wrapped around part of the baby, oxygen cut off, have to have c-section
What is the Apgar scale and what are the different cut off points?
Looks at 5 different qualities on the baby and assesses. 7-10 is good, 5 is possible delays, 3 is an emergency
What are some issues with the Apgar scale?
Skin colour. Apgar scale looks for babies who have pink skin, however babies with increased melanin aren’t born pink
What are some things that can cause an infant to be at risk?
Preterm infants, Small-for-date infants, and low birth weight infants
What are preterm infants?
Born before 38 wks. Viable at over 27-28 wks. 50% chance of survival at 22wks.
