The process of labor and birth - ANSWER Powers (physiological forces, primary [contrac-
tions] secondary [maternal pushing])
Passagway
Passenger
Passageway + Passenger
Psychosocial influences
Frequency of contractions - ANSWER beginning of one contraction to the beginning of
the next
Duration of contraction - ANSWER The length of a contraction, measured from the begin-
ning to its completion
Tocodynamometer - ANSWER An external instrument for measuring the force of uterine
contractions using a pressure sensitive device that is applied against the uterine fundus.
Intrauterine Pressure Catheter (IUPC) - ANSWER A catheter that can be placed through
the cervix into the uterus to measure uterine pressure during labor. Some types of catheters
may be inserted for the purpose of infusing warmed saline to add additional intrauterine
fluid when oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid) is present.
According to the IUPC, the normal resting tone of the uterus. - ANSWER Between 10 to
12 mm Hg
According to the IUPC, the acme of the contraction during early labor. - ANSWER From 25
to 40 mm Hg
1
, According to the IUPC, the acme of the contraction during active labor - ANSWER From
50 to 70 mm Hg
According to the IUPC, the acme of the contraction during the transition phase of labor - AN-
SWER From 70 to 90 mm Hg
According to the IUPC, the acme of the contraction during the pushing phase of the second
stage of labor - ANSWER From 70 to 100 mm Hg
True labor contractions - ANSWER Stronger, last longer, more frequent, felt in lower back
radiating to abdomen,doesn't decrease with comfort measures, walking can increase inten-
sity, cervix shows progressive change
Parts of a contraction - ANSWER increment, acme, decrement
False labor contractions - ANSWER Decrease in frequency, duration, and intensity, often
painless, irregular frequency, felt in lower back or abdomen above umbilicus, often stop with
sleep or comfort measures, no cervical change with these contractions
fetal lie - ANSWER relationship of the long axis of the fetus to the long axis of the mother
Fetal lie: longitudinal - ANSWER The head to tailbone axis of the fetus is the same as the
mother's
fetal lie: transverse - ANSWER The head to tailbone axis of the fetus is at a 90-degree an-
gle of the mother
Fetal lie
2
tions] secondary [maternal pushing])
Passagway
Passenger
Passageway + Passenger
Psychosocial influences
Frequency of contractions - ANSWER beginning of one contraction to the beginning of
the next
Duration of contraction - ANSWER The length of a contraction, measured from the begin-
ning to its completion
Tocodynamometer - ANSWER An external instrument for measuring the force of uterine
contractions using a pressure sensitive device that is applied against the uterine fundus.
Intrauterine Pressure Catheter (IUPC) - ANSWER A catheter that can be placed through
the cervix into the uterus to measure uterine pressure during labor. Some types of catheters
may be inserted for the purpose of infusing warmed saline to add additional intrauterine
fluid when oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid) is present.
According to the IUPC, the normal resting tone of the uterus. - ANSWER Between 10 to
12 mm Hg
According to the IUPC, the acme of the contraction during early labor. - ANSWER From 25
to 40 mm Hg
1
, According to the IUPC, the acme of the contraction during active labor - ANSWER From
50 to 70 mm Hg
According to the IUPC, the acme of the contraction during the transition phase of labor - AN-
SWER From 70 to 90 mm Hg
According to the IUPC, the acme of the contraction during the pushing phase of the second
stage of labor - ANSWER From 70 to 100 mm Hg
True labor contractions - ANSWER Stronger, last longer, more frequent, felt in lower back
radiating to abdomen,doesn't decrease with comfort measures, walking can increase inten-
sity, cervix shows progressive change
Parts of a contraction - ANSWER increment, acme, decrement
False labor contractions - ANSWER Decrease in frequency, duration, and intensity, often
painless, irregular frequency, felt in lower back or abdomen above umbilicus, often stop with
sleep or comfort measures, no cervical change with these contractions
fetal lie - ANSWER relationship of the long axis of the fetus to the long axis of the mother
Fetal lie: longitudinal - ANSWER The head to tailbone axis of the fetus is the same as the
mother's
fetal lie: transverse - ANSWER The head to tailbone axis of the fetus is at a 90-degree an-
gle of the mother
Fetal lie
2
