What is considered “term” gestation?
> 37 weeks
What is considered preterm?
24- 37 weeks.
What is the first stage of labour?
Onset of regular painful contractions to full cervical dilation.
What is second stage labour?
Time from full cervical dilation to birth of baby.
What are the signs of imminent birth?
Active pushing/ grunting Rectal pressure Anal pouting Unstoppable urge to push Crowning
What is the definition of precipitate birth?
Rapid labour less than 2 hours which can cause cerebral irritation due to rapid changes in pressure.
What are the main changes in Physiology for pregnant pts?
HR 80 to 110 RR 14-19 Increased CO Increased O2 demand Increase tidal volume Increased blood volume
What is the definition of spontaneous rupture of membranes?
Gush of clear or pink fluid. Occurs prior to onset of labour.
What is meconium stained amniotic fluid?
Greenish/ brown stained amniotic fluid.
What is the basic care in obstetric emergencies?
Left lateral tilt ( to prevent compression on vena cava and aorta)
If supine: 30 degree tilt with wedge under right hip.
If spinal: 15 tilt under right hip.
Why are pregnant pts able to compensate?
Pregnant pts have a higher volume of blood in circulation. And can therefore lose more blood before showing signs of shock.
What is the definition of preeclampsia/ eclampsia?
Eclampsia is the presence of seizures with pts with hypertension. Usually new onset >20weeks gestation.
Signs of pre-eclampsia include: hypertension, headache, visual disturbances, nausea.
What are the numbers of significant and severe hypertension in pre-eclampsia.
Significant: >140/90
Severe: >170/110
What is the process of a normal birth?
- Encourage pt to push with each contraction.
- Ask mother to pant with open mouth if head advances too quickly.
- if precipitous apply gentle backward pressure on head.
- check for cord. If loose slip over head. If tight puppy clamps and cut.
- head will turn to face mother inner thigh
- hold head and apply gentle downward pressure to deliver top shoulder.
- apply gentle upward pressure to deliver lower shoulder.
- baby will follow quickly
- note time of birth
- place baby skin to skin
- allow cord to stop pulsating <3mins
- apply clamps 10cm and 15cm from baby
- cut in between.
