Factors Affecting Labor, Fetal Position, and Fetal Station

Introduction

• Presenter: Meris
• Video Topic: Factors affecting labor, fetal position, and fetal station
• Resources: Maternity flashcards available at leveluprn.com

Factors Affecting Labor

• Three P's and a Pod:
  • Passageway:
    • Birth canal anatomy
    • Considerations like pelvis tilt, cervix condition
    • Influences ability to birth vaginally
  • Powers:
    • Refers to contractions
    • Effectiveness in affecting cervix is crucial
    • Ineffectiveness can prevent adequate birth
  • Passenger:
    • Refers to the fetus
    • Includes fetal position and station

Fetal Position

• Described using three letters
  • First Letter: Left (L) or Right (R) relative to mother
  • Middle Letter: Part of the baby (e.g., occiput, mentum, scapula)
    • Occiput = O
    • Mentum = M
    • Scapula = SC
    • Sacrum = S
  • Last Letter: Orientation - Anterior (A), Posterior (P), or Transverse (T)
• Optimal Positioning:
  • LOA (Left Occiput Anterior): Ideal for a well-facilitated birth
    • Remember: "LOA is OK"
  • ROA (Right Occiput Anterior): Second-best option
  • Avoid Posterior (P) positions
    • Can lead to painful "sunny side up" delivery

Fetal Station

• Measures descent of the presenting part into pelvis
  • Station 0: Level of ischial spines
  • Negative Numbers: Higher in pelvis
  • Positive Numbers: Closer to vaginal opening
    • Remember: "Plus four on the floor"
• Example:
  • Negative 3 Station: Not optimal for delivery
  • Plus 3 Station: Implies imminent birth

Review Questions

1. What does ROP mean?
   • Right Occiput Posterior
2. What is the optimal presentation for a well-facilitated birth?
   • LOA (Left Occiput Anterior)
3. What station is a baby at the level of the ischial spines?
   • Station 0

Conclusion

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• Interaction prompts (like, comment) for engagement

Additional Resources

• Check illustrations on flashcards for visual understanding
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