NUR401 Exam #2
1. What are the maternal responses to labor?: Intermittent contractions of the upper uterus to
push fetus down and maintain placental perfusion; forms a retraction ring
cervix effaces and dilates
2. What are the fetal responses to labor?: placenta maintains reserves for perfusion during
contractions; CV system reacts quickly; fetal lung fluid decreases as thoracic compression encourages its expulsion
3. Four P's of Labor: Powers
Passage
Passenger
Psyche
4. What are the two components of Powers of labor?: contractions (1st stage) from onset to
dilation
pushing (2nd stage) from dilation to birth
5. Passage: maternal pelvis and soft tissues
pelvis: does not readily yield to the forces of labor; linea terminalis must be wide enough for fetus to pass through
(gynecoid shape) or cephalopelvic disproportion results.
,soft tissues: relaxin softens cartilage link of the pelvis and surrounding tissues/ligaments
6. What is the largest part of the fetus?: Head
7. Fetal Lie: The relationship between fetal maternal spine
Ideal: lateral
Problematic: transverse
8. Fetal attitude: Flexion (preferred) or extension
9. Presentation: Which part of the fetus is closest to the cervis
Ideal: cephalic (vertex) = head down
other:
- brow (forehead against cervix)
- face (face against cervix)
- breech (footling, double footling, frank)
10. Psyche: circumstances/experiences may increase catecholamines which decrease UC/placental perfusion and
increase pain
, It's important to promote relaxation
11. Premonitory signs of labor: Braxton-Hicks, Lightening, Bloody Show, Nesting, Spontaneous Rupture
of Membranes (SROM)
12. True Labor: regular and consistent contractions that increase in intensity, duratrion, and frequency
contraction pain begins in the back and wraps around to the front; worsened by walking
cervix dilates and effaces
13. False Labor: contractions are inconsistent in frequency, duration, and intensity
annoying pain in the abdomen/groin that disappears with walking
no cervical changes
14. What is an expectation for multiparous patients?: Their labors will be shorter the more
deliveries they have had
15. Signs of Impending Birth: grunting, bearing down, "The Baby is Coming!"
16. First Stage of Labor: Cervix dilates and effaces
Latent: 0-5cm; longer in nullipara
Active: 6-10cm; null = 8-10 hrs and multi = 5-7 hrs
1. What are the maternal responses to labor?: Intermittent contractions of the upper uterus to
push fetus down and maintain placental perfusion; forms a retraction ring
cervix effaces and dilates
2. What are the fetal responses to labor?: placenta maintains reserves for perfusion during
contractions; CV system reacts quickly; fetal lung fluid decreases as thoracic compression encourages its expulsion
3. Four P's of Labor: Powers
Passage
Passenger
Psyche
4. What are the two components of Powers of labor?: contractions (1st stage) from onset to
dilation
pushing (2nd stage) from dilation to birth
5. Passage: maternal pelvis and soft tissues
pelvis: does not readily yield to the forces of labor; linea terminalis must be wide enough for fetus to pass through
(gynecoid shape) or cephalopelvic disproportion results.
,soft tissues: relaxin softens cartilage link of the pelvis and surrounding tissues/ligaments
6. What is the largest part of the fetus?: Head
7. Fetal Lie: The relationship between fetal maternal spine
Ideal: lateral
Problematic: transverse
8. Fetal attitude: Flexion (preferred) or extension
9. Presentation: Which part of the fetus is closest to the cervis
Ideal: cephalic (vertex) = head down
other:
- brow (forehead against cervix)
- face (face against cervix)
- breech (footling, double footling, frank)
10. Psyche: circumstances/experiences may increase catecholamines which decrease UC/placental perfusion and
increase pain
, It's important to promote relaxation
11. Premonitory signs of labor: Braxton-Hicks, Lightening, Bloody Show, Nesting, Spontaneous Rupture
of Membranes (SROM)
12. True Labor: regular and consistent contractions that increase in intensity, duratrion, and frequency
contraction pain begins in the back and wraps around to the front; worsened by walking
cervix dilates and effaces
13. False Labor: contractions are inconsistent in frequency, duration, and intensity
annoying pain in the abdomen/groin that disappears with walking
no cervical changes
14. What is an expectation for multiparous patients?: Their labors will be shorter the more
deliveries they have had
15. Signs of Impending Birth: grunting, bearing down, "The Baby is Coming!"
16. First Stage of Labor: Cervix dilates and effaces
Latent: 0-5cm; longer in nullipara
Active: 6-10cm; null = 8-10 hrs and multi = 5-7 hrs
