Study Guide For
Labor and Delivery I
Clinical Medicine III
(2026-2027)
** 100% Guaranteed Pass
** Expert-Verified Explanation
** Questions with Verified Answer
** Latest Edition | Updated
, Labor - Defined Progressive effacement and dilation of the cervix resulting from rhythmic
contractions of the uterine musculature
Cervical dilation WITHOUT contractions = Labor/Not NOT labor
Labor?
Uterine contractions WITHOUT cervical effacement and False labor/Braxton hicks
dilation =
Braxton Hicks Shorter/less intense than true labor contractions (usually)
Initial Assessment of Normal Labor and Delivery 1. Review Prenatal Record
2. Focused History
3. Physical Exam
• Sterile Speculum Exam and Vaginal Exam
• Maternal Vitals
• Fetal Monitoring
4. Labs (typically once admitting):
• Type and Screen
• CBC (Hemoglobin and Platelets)
• Syphilis
• (any other labs indicated based on prior prenatal care)
Sterile Speculum Exam • Not a digital exam
• Speculum exam to assess labia and cervix
• Cervix may be difficult to determine dilation from visualization
What may be seen on SSE? - Amniotic fluid (pooling, ferning, nitrazine)
- Blood
- Lesions
Sterile Vaginal Exam - Presentation of Baby/Positioning - Presenting Part of Baby (HEAD DOWN or NOT, which is most often breech, but
could be a compound presentation)
- Vertex (head 1st/head down)
- With more advanced dilation check which way is the baby facing/orientation =
Occiput anterior (OA)/Occiput posterior (OP)/Transverse - face down or sunny
side up?
Sterile Vaginal Exam - Cervical Evaluation Dilation/Effacement/Station
Sterile Speculum Exam - Pelvimetry - Bones/Markers in the maternal pelvis
- Size and orientation of fetal head - diameter
Cervical Exam - Dilation (#1)
- Effacement (#2)
- Station (#3)
- Determine presenting part (Vertex, Breech, Transverse?)
- Palpable bag of water (amniotic sac)
- Consistency/position of cervix (firm or soft)
* Exam may vary based on examiner
Cervical Dilation Opening of the cervix measured in centimeters
Cervical Effacement Thinning of the cervix during labor
Labor and Delivery I
Clinical Medicine III
(2026-2027)
** 100% Guaranteed Pass
** Expert-Verified Explanation
** Questions with Verified Answer
** Latest Edition | Updated
, Labor - Defined Progressive effacement and dilation of the cervix resulting from rhythmic
contractions of the uterine musculature
Cervical dilation WITHOUT contractions = Labor/Not NOT labor
Labor?
Uterine contractions WITHOUT cervical effacement and False labor/Braxton hicks
dilation =
Braxton Hicks Shorter/less intense than true labor contractions (usually)
Initial Assessment of Normal Labor and Delivery 1. Review Prenatal Record
2. Focused History
3. Physical Exam
• Sterile Speculum Exam and Vaginal Exam
• Maternal Vitals
• Fetal Monitoring
4. Labs (typically once admitting):
• Type and Screen
• CBC (Hemoglobin and Platelets)
• Syphilis
• (any other labs indicated based on prior prenatal care)
Sterile Speculum Exam • Not a digital exam
• Speculum exam to assess labia and cervix
• Cervix may be difficult to determine dilation from visualization
What may be seen on SSE? - Amniotic fluid (pooling, ferning, nitrazine)
- Blood
- Lesions
Sterile Vaginal Exam - Presentation of Baby/Positioning - Presenting Part of Baby (HEAD DOWN or NOT, which is most often breech, but
could be a compound presentation)
- Vertex (head 1st/head down)
- With more advanced dilation check which way is the baby facing/orientation =
Occiput anterior (OA)/Occiput posterior (OP)/Transverse - face down or sunny
side up?
Sterile Vaginal Exam - Cervical Evaluation Dilation/Effacement/Station
Sterile Speculum Exam - Pelvimetry - Bones/Markers in the maternal pelvis
- Size and orientation of fetal head - diameter
Cervical Exam - Dilation (#1)
- Effacement (#2)
- Station (#3)
- Determine presenting part (Vertex, Breech, Transverse?)
- Palpable bag of water (amniotic sac)
- Consistency/position of cervix (firm or soft)
* Exam may vary based on examiner
Cervical Dilation Opening of the cervix measured in centimeters
Cervical Effacement Thinning of the cervix during labor
