Caring For A Woman During Vaginal Birth Ch 18

Front 1

When does labor normally begin?

Back 1

When the fetus is sufficiently mature to cope with extrauterine life. Not too large to cause mechanical difficulties with birth.

Front 2

what is the triiger that convert the random,painless Braxton Hicks contractions into strong coordinated, productive labor contractions?

Back 2

it is unknown

Front 3

what is preterm birth

Back 3

labor that begins before a fetus is mature

Front 4

what is postterm birth

Back 4

labor that is delayed until the fetus and the placenta have both passed beyon the optimal mpoint for birth.

Front 5

labor is influenced by a combination of factors originating from

Back 5

mother and fetus

Front 6

Uterine muscle stretches

Back 6

release of prostiglandins

Front 7

pressure on the cervix

Back 7

stimulates the release of oxytocin from the pituitary gland

Front 8

oxytocin stimulation

Back 8

works together with prostiglandins to initiate contractions

Front 9

change in the ratio of estrogen to progesterone (increasing estrogen in relation to progesterone}

Back 9

stimulates uterine contractions

Front 10

placental age

Back 10

automatically triggers contractions at a set point

Front 11

rising fetal cortisol levels

Back 11

reduce progesterone and increase prostiglandins

Front 12

fetal membrane production of prostiglandins

Back 12

stimulates contractions

Front 13

preliminary signs of labor

Back 13

subtle. women must be taught so they can recognize when labor is beginning.

Front 14

Lightening

Back 14

descent of fetal presentation. usually 10-14 days before labor begins.
1. changes a woman's abdominal contour
2. uterus becomes lower and more anterior.
3. relief from the diaphragmatic pressure and shortness of breath ("lightens the load")
4.early in primiparas because of tight abd muscles.
5. multiparas- not as dramatic and usually occurs on the day labor begins or even after.

Front 15

6. as the fetus sinks lower in the pelvis, the mother may experience

Back 15

1.shooting pains in legs from the increased pressure on the sciatic nerve, increased amounts of vaginal discharge, and urinary frequency from the pressure on the bladder.

Front 16

increase in level of activity

Back 16

morning of labor- more energy d/t epinepherine release

Front 17

epinepherine

Back 17

1. initiated by a decrese in progesterone produced by the placenta.
2. prepares woman's body for the work of labor ahead.

Front 18

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Back 18

False labor.
1.last week or days before 2.true labor begins.
3.strong.
4.woman may come to hosp thinking that she is in labor
sent home
5.very discouraging
6.emotional support and
teaching re. Braxton Hicks vs. True labor

Front 19

False Contractions

Back 19

1.begin and remain irreg
2.felt 1st in abd, remain confined to abd and groin
3.often disappear w/amb and sleep
4.do not increase in duration, frequency, or intensity
5.do not achieve cervical dilatation

Front 20

True Contractions

Back 20

1.begin irreg, become reg and predictable
2.felt 1st in lower back and sweep around to the abd in a wave
3.cont no matter what the woman' level of activity
4.increase in duration, frequency, and intensity
5.achieve cervical dilatation

Front 21

uterince contractions

Back 21

1.surest sign of labor
2.involuntary and w/o warning
3.intensity can be frightening

Front 22

Give the woman a sense of control during uterine contractions by

Back 22

1. helping her appreciate that she can predict her pattern and therefore can control the degree of discomfort

Front 23

how can a woman predict her pattern and control the degree of discomfort?

Back 23

she feels by using breathing exercises

Front 24

Show

Back 24

bloody show
mucus plug expelled
streaked w/blood, usually pink
teach moms it does NOT mean they are bleeding
think of a cork coming out of a wine bottle

Front 25

rupture of membranes

Back 25

"water breaking"
sudden gush or leaking
clear fluid

Front 26

advantage of early rupture of membranes

Back 26

it may cause the fetal head to settle snugly into the pelvis
shortens labor

Front 27

Risks with ruptured membranes

Back 27

intrauterine infection
prolapse of the fetal cord (can cut off O2 supply to the fetus)

Front 28

what happens if labor does not begin 24hrs after ruptured membranes?

Back 28

labor is induced to help reduce these risks

Front 29

what can we teach woman about ruptured membranes and "dry labor" (difficult and long)?

Back 29

amniotic fluid continues to be produced until delivery of the membranes after birth of the fetus so no labor is ever "dry"