Factors Affecting Labor, Fetal Position, and Fetal Station

Introduction

• Speaker: Meris
• Topics: Factors affecting labor, fetal position, and fetal station
• Reference: Maternity flashcards from leveluprn.com

Factors Affecting Labor

The Three Ps and a Pod

• Passageway: Birth canal anatomy, pelvic tilt, cervical conditions
• Powers: Contractions, strength, and effectiveness
• Passenger: Fetus
  • Focus on fetal position and fetal station

Fetal Position

• Described using three letters
  1. L or R: Left or Right (relative to the mother)
  2. Body Part: Part of the baby presenting
     • Occiput (back of the head) - O
     • Mentum (chin) - M
     • Scapula - SC
     • Sacrum - S
  3. Position: Anterior (A), posterior (P), or transverse (T)

Optimal Fetal Position

• LOA (Left Occiput Anterior): Optimal for birth
• ROA (Right Occiput Anterior): Second best
• Posterior positions (P): Less optimal, associated with more pain and complications

Fetal Station

• Describes the baby's head descent into the pelvis
• Station 0: Level with ischial spines
• Negative numbers: Higher up in the pelvis
• Positive numbers: Closer to childbirth
  • Mnemonic: Plus four is on the floor

Example Stations

• Negative 3: Not close to delivery
• Positive 3: Imminent delivery

Knowledge Check Questions

1. What does ROP mean?
2. What is the optimal fetal position for a well-facilitated birth?
3. What station is the baby at when at the level of the ischial spines?

Conclusion

• Encouragement to subscribe, share, and engage with the content
• Appreciation for watching