Maternity Nursing Chapter 15 Key Terms

Front 1

attitude

Back 1

the degree of head flexion a fetus assumes during labor; the relation of the fetal parts to each other

Front 2

breech presentation

Back 2

fetal presentation in which either the buttocks or feet are the first body parts to contact the cervix

Front 3

cardinal movements of labor

Back 3

position changes to keep the smallest diameter of the fetal head (in cephalic presentations) always presenting to the smallest diameter of the birth canal (descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and expulsion)

Front 4

cephalic presentation

Back 4

fetal presentation in which the head is the body part that first contacts the cervix

Front 5

crowning

Back 5

the appearance of the fetal head at the perineum just before birth

Front 6

dilatation

Back 6

widening of the opening of the cervix in labor

Front 7

effacement

Back 7

thinning of the cervix in labor

Front 8

engagement

Back 8

settling of the fetal head into the pelvis during labor

Front 9

episiotomy

Back 9

surgical incision of the perineum to prevent tearing and to release pressure on the fetal head with birth

Front 10

fetal descent

Back 10

sinking of the fetus in the birth cal just prior to birth (the first of the six cardinal movements of labor)

Front 11

Leopold's maneuvers

Back 11

a method of observation and palpation to determine fetal presentation and position

Front 12

lie

Back 12

the relationship between the long axis of the fetus and the long axis of the mother

Front 13

molding

Back 13

change in shape of the fetal skull due to uterine contractions pressing the vertex against the not yet dilated cervix

Front 14

pathologic retraction ring (Bandyl's ring)

Back 14

a type of contraction ring that occurs at the juncture of the upper and lower uterine segments; a warning sign that severe dysfunctional labor is occuring

Front 15

physiologic retraction ring

Back 15

ridge on the inner uterine surface marking the boundary between the upper and lower segments of the uterus during labor

Front 16

position

Back 16

the relationship of a specific fetal part to the maternal pelvis

Front 17

ripening of the cervix

Back 17

softening of the cervix with the approach of labor

Front 18

station

Back 18

the relationship of the presenting part of the fetus to the level of the ischial spines

Front 19

transition

Back 19

the end of the first stage of labor, just before the woman experiences pushing sensations

Front 20

Leopold's maneuvers

Back 20

a method of observation and palpation to determine fetal presentation and position

Front 21

lie

Back 21

the relationship between the long axis of the fetus and the long axis of the mother

Front 22

molding

Back 22

change in shape of the fetal skull due to uterine contractions pressing the vertex against the not yet dilated cervix

Front 23

pathologic retraction ring (Bandyl's ring)

Back 23

a type of contraction ring that occurs at the juncture of the upper and lower uterine segments; a warning sign that severe dysfunctional labor is occuring

Front 24

physiologic retraction ring

Back 24

ridge on the inner uterine surface marking the boundary between the upper and lower segments of the uterus during labor

Front 25

position

Back 25

the relationship of a specific fetal part to the maternal pelvis

Front 26

ripening of the cervix

Back 26

softening of the cervix with the approach of labor

Front 27

station

Back 27

the relationship of the presenting part of the fetus to the level of the ischial spines

Front 28

transition

Back 28

the end of the first stage of labor, just before the woman experiences pushing sensations