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URL Source: blob://pdf/e71ea369-36d2-467b-af55-bada2d1fa920
Published Time: 2025-04-30T14:26:01.000Z
Markdown Content: LABOR & BIRTH PROCESSES
Fetus & Placenta The Birth Canal Position of the Mother Contractions Emotional Response 5 factors that affect the process of labor & birth
ANTERIOR POSTERIOR
SIZE OF THE FETAL HEAD FONTANELS
Space between the bones of the skull allows for molding Anterior (larger)
Diamond-shaped
Ossifies in 12-18 months
Posterior
MOLDING
Change in the shape of the
fetal skull to "mold" & fit
through the birth canal
FETAL PRESENTATION
Refers to the part of the fetus that enters
the pelvic inlet first through the birth canal
during labor
FETAL LIE
Relation of the long axis (spine) of the fetus to the long axis (spine) of the mother
LONGITUDINAL OR VERTICAL
The long axis of the fetus is parallel with the long axis of the mother Longitudinal: cephalic or breech
TRANSVERSE, HORIZONTAL, OR OBLIQUE
Long axis of the fetus is at a right angle to the long axis of the mother Transverse: vaginal birth CANNOT occur in this position Oblique: usually converts to a longitudinal or transverse lie during labor
CONTINUED
2 BREECH
Buttocks, feet, or both first Presenting part: Sacrum
Most Most Common Common
1 CEPHALIC
Head fi rst
Presenting part: Occipital (back of head/skull)
3 SHOULDER
Shoulders first Presenting part: Scapula
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FETAL ATTITUDE
TYPES OF PELVIS GENERAL FLEXION
Back of the fetus is rounded so that
the chin is flexed on the chest, thighs are fl exed on the abdomen, legs are fl exed at the knees
BIPARIETAL DIAMETER
9.25 cm at term, the largest transverse diameter and an important indicator of fetal head size
SUBOCCIPITOBREGMATIC DIAMETER
Most critical & smallest of the anteroposterior diameters
FETAL POSITION SOFT TISSUE FETAL STATION
Where the baby's presenting part is located in the pelvis Measured in centimeters (cm)
Find the ischial spine = zero
Above the ischial spine is (-)
Below the ischial spine is (+)
+4 / +5 = Birth is about to happen
ENGAGEMENT
Fetal station zero = baby is " engaged " Presenting parts have entered down into the pelvis inlet & is at the ischial spine line (0)
When does this happen?
First-time moms: 38 weeks
Already had babies:
can happen when labor starts
LOWER UTERINE SEGMENT
Stretchy
CERVIX
Effaces (thins) & dilates (opens) After fetus descends into the vagina, the cervix is drawn upward and over the first portion
PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLES
Helps the fetus rotate anteriorly
VAGINA INTROITUS
External opening of the vagina
CONTINUED
The Birth Canal: |Rigid bony pelvis, soft tissue of cervix, pelvic floor, vagina & introitus
GYNECOID
Classic female type Most common
ANDROID
Resembling the male pelvis
ANTHROPOID
Oval-shaped Wider anteroposterior diameter
PLATYPELLOID
The flat pelvis Least common
LIGHTENING
When the baby "drops" into the mother's pelvis
I'm (+) that I'm getting this baby out
MEMORY MEMORY TRICK TRICK
Head, foot, butt (closest to exit of uterus)
-5 +1 -4 +2 -3 +3 -2 +4 -1 +5 0
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UPRIGHT POSITION
Sitting on a birthing stool or cushion
"ALL FOURS" POSITION
On all fours: putting your weight on your hands & feet
Position of the mother during birth Contractions: Primary & Secondary
Frequent changes in position helps with:
Relieving fatigue Increasing comfort Improving circulation
Involuntary uterine contractions Signals the beginning of labor
Does not affect cervical dilation but helps with expulsion of infant once the cervix is fully dilated When the presenting part reaches the pelvic
fl oor, the contractions change in character
& become expulsive. Laboring women start to feel an involuntary urge to push & she uses secondary powers to aid in the expulsion of the fetus
FERGUSON REFLEX
When the stretch receptors release oxytocin, it triggers the maternal urge to bear down
EFFACEMENT
Shortening & thinning of the cervix during the first stage of labor Cervix normally:
2 -3 cm long
1 cm thick
The cervix is "pulled back / thinned out" by a shortening of the uterine muscles
Degree of
EFFACEMENT
is EXPRESSED in %
(0-100%) PSYCHOLOGY Emotional Response
Anxiety can increase pain perception & the need for more medications (analgesia & anesthesia)
SOCIAL SOCIAL SUPPORT SUPPORT PAST PAST EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE DILATION
Dilation of the cervix is the gradual enlargement or widening of the cervical opening & canal once labor has begun Pressure from amniotic fluid can also
apply force to dilate
closed
0 -
full dilation
10 measured measured in cm in cm
cm
Voluntary bearing-down efforts by the women once the cervix has dilated
LITHOTOMY POSITION
Supine position with buttocks on the table
LATERAL POSITION
Laying on a side
Most Most Common Common
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