Factors Affecting Labor, Fetal Position, and Fetal Station

Factors Affecting Labor

• Three Ps in a Pod: Passageway, Powers, Passenger
  • Passageway: Birth canal (anatomy of the pelvis, cervix)
  • Powers: Strength/efficacy of contractions; impact on cervix
  • Passenger: Fetus (fetal position and station)

Fetal Position

• Described Using Three Letters: L or R, middle part (body part), A/P/T (anterior, posterior, transverse)
  • First Letter (L or R): Left or right relative to the mother
  • Middle Letter: Specific body part (occiput - O, mentum - M, scapula - SC, sacrum - S)
  • Last Letter: Position (anterior - A, posterior - P, transverse - T)
• Example: LOA
  • L: Left
  • O: Occiput (back of the head)
  • A: Anterior
• Optimal Positioning: LOA (Left Occiput Anterior)
  • Mnemonic: LOA is okay
  • Second Best: ROA (Right Occiput Anterior)
  • Avoid: Posterior positions (P)

Fetal Station

• Station: Descent of head or presenting part into the pelvis
  • Station 0: Level of the ischial spines
  • Negative Numbers: Higher in the pelvis
  • Positive Numbers: Closer to vaginal opening
  • Mnemonic: Plus four is on the floor
• Examples:
  • -3 Station: Not close to delivery
  • +3 Station: Imminent delivery

Knowledge Test

• ROP Meaning: Right Occiput Posterior
• Optimal Presentation for Delivery: LOA (Left Occiput Anterior)
• Station at Ischial Spine Level: Station 0

Additional Notes

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