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A1. Women's Health > Normal Labour > Flashcards

Flashcards in Normal Labour Deck (30)
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1
Q

Definition of normal labour?

A

Regular, painful contractions with cervical effacement and dilatation

2
Q

Definition of first, second and third stages of labour? In which stage is mortality the highest?

A

First - onset of labour to full dilatation of cervix
Second - full dilatation to delivery of baby
Third - delivery of baby to delivery of placenta; highest mortality!

3
Q

What are the 2 phases of the first stage of labour?

A

Latent - slow progress until 3cm dilated

Active - fast progress until 10cm dilated

4
Q

Definition of spurious labour?

A

Regular, painful contractions w/o effacement/dilatation

5
Q

Name 2 indications for AROM

A

Speed up progress of labour

Check colour/amount of amniotic fluid

6
Q

What does the colour/amount of amniotic fluid tell you about the foetus?

A

If it’s hypoxic - hypoxic foetus releases meconium (turns colour brown), and oligohydramnios indicates the foetus is centralising blood supply

7
Q

What are the 3 components to successful contractions?

A

Strong, long and frequent (usually 3-5/10 minutes)

8
Q

Definition of foetal lie, presentation, attitude, position, and station

A

Lie - what way is the longest axis of the foetus relative to mother (transverse vs longitudinal)
Presentation - what part of foetus is presenting (vertex vs face vs breech)
Attitude - Degree of flexion/extension of foetus (usually flexed)
Position - Relationship of a part of foetus to the mother’s pelvis (in cephalic, defined as relation of foetal occiput to mother)
Station - how far above/below the ischial spines is the foetus (ischial spines chosen as landmark as this is usually where foetus becomes engaged)

9
Q

Name 4 things we have regular observations of the mother for

A

Infection
Pre-eclampsia - BP and urinanalysis
Bleeding
Emotional wellbeing (pain)

10
Q

Are we obliged to give analgesia to a mother during delivery? Why/why not?

A

No (depends on mother’s wishes) - there’s a perception that a certain amount of pain during childbirth is normal and desirable

11
Q

Name 4 non-pharmacological and 4 pharmacological analgesics during delivery

A

Non-pharm: Massage, relaxation/breathing techniques, environmental changes, hot and cold packs, TENS
Pharm: NO gas, oral or IV opioids, neuraxial block (epidural/spinal), local block (pudendal block)

12
Q

How often do we do foetal auscultation in the 1st and 2nd stages of labour?

A

1st - every 15 minutes in active phase

2nd - after every contraction

13
Q

Give indications for continuous foetal monitoring

A

Pre-natal complications - HT, PE, bleed, IUGR, DM

Intrapartum risk factors - meconium/blood stained liquor, abnormal HR on auscultation

14
Q

How quickly does the 1st stage of pregnancy usually take?

A

Roughly 1cm/hour, but can be more, especially if nullpara

15
Q

Name 5 elements of the admission history of a woman in labour

A
PMx
Past Obsx
Review this pregnancy for complications
Infection status (GBS, HIV/HBV/HCV)
Blood group

Labour Hx - duration, show, ROM, bleeding

Birth/analgesia plan, antenatal education

16
Q

Name 4 components of initial examination of a woman in labour

A

BP, urinanlysis (pre-eclampsia)
T (infection)
Signs of bleeding
Duration, frequency, intensity of contractions and pain control

17
Q

How often are women examined during the first stage of labour? Name 4 components of the examination

A

Abdo exam every hour, vaginal every 4 hours. Document uterine contractions (strength, freq, intensity), cervical effacement, dilatation and station of presenting part

18
Q

Name 1 SE of an epidural

A

Can prolong length of second stage of labour

19
Q

How long does the second stage of labour usually take for a nullpara and multipara woman? What’s it called if it takes longer than this?

A

Nullpara - under 2 hours
Multipara - under 1 hour

Any longer = arrested descent

20
Q

What are the 3 ways the foetal head descends through the pelvis

A

Moulding, flexion and rotation

21
Q

Go through the normal movements of the foetal head (in cephalic presentation) and shoulders from beginning to end of delivery (including how to deliver the shoulders)

A

Head starts in OT position, as it allows the longest diameter of the head to match the longest diameter of the mum’s pelvic inlet (transverse)

Then internally rotates to become OA to navigate through ischial spines (longest diameter of ischial spines in AP direction)

Head extends to pass through vaginal canal

After head is out, it restitutes by externally rotating to become OT again, to allow shoulders to pass through pelvic inlet

Pull down on anterior shoulder, then elevate head to deliver posterior shoulder

Pull on shoulders for rest of body to deliver

22
Q

What is the shortest diameter of the foetal head? How long is it?

A

Suboccipitobregmatic distance (9.5cm)

23
Q

Name the 3 general things you should monitor during 2nd stage of labour

A

Mother - P, BP, T
Foetus - Auscultate after every contraction, amniotic fluid colour
Progress of labour

24
Q

How long does stage 3 usually take?

A

5 - 10 minutes

25
Q

Name 3 signs of placental separation in stage 3

A

Fresh show of blood
Lengthening of umbilical cord
Firm uterus

26
Q

What are the 3 elements of active management of the third stage?

A

Prophylactic oxytocics
Controlled cord traction
Early cord clamping

27
Q

Name 3 oxytocics commonly used (in order of strength). What is a C/I for using the strongest one?

A

Syntocinon - least strong
Syntometrine
Ergometrine - strongest; C/I if HT

28
Q

What’s the definition of early cord clamping? 1 good and 1 bad thing about it?

A

Cord clamping between 30-60 seconds. Good - reduces risk of PPH. Bad - might reduce amount of blood going to baby = more likely to become iron deficient

29
Q

What are the recommendations for food and fluid in the first stage of labour?

A

If at risk of C/S or GA, IV line and NBM. Otherwise, light diet early, clear fluids in late labour

30
Q

Name 3 indications for antibiotics in 1st stage of labour

A

GBS +ve
Chorioamnionitis
Prolonged ROM
Endocarditis prophylaxis