NUR 401 Module 2
1. Maternal Responses to Labor: labor contractions are intermittent (allows placental blood flow and
exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste), the upper uterus contracts actively during labor as it pushes the fetus down,
it brings cervical effacement and dilation.
2. Fetal Responses to Labor: placental circulation (enough in reverses to tolerate labor), cardiovascular
system reacts quickly, in pulmonary system the fetal lung fluid production decreases, thoracic compression during
labor aids in expulsion of additional fluid, and lung tissue increases.
3. Maternal Supine Hypotension: mothers blood pressure drops while she is laying on her back to the
weight of the fetus/uterus cutting the circulation off of the vena cava, to prevent turn mom on her left side and recheck
blood pressure in 5 minutes.
4. Birthing Process (The 4 P's): powers, passage, passenger, and psyche
5. Powers: uterine contractions and the maternal pushing.
6. Involuntary: first phase, onset throughout dilation, uterine contractions are the primary force moving the fetus
through the maternal pelvis.
,7. Voluntary: second stage, dilation through birth, the women uses her voluntary pushing efforts to propel the
fetus through the pelvis.
8. Passage: consists of the maternal pelvis and its soft tissues.
9. Bony Pelvis: more important to the outcome of labor, because the bones and joints do not readily yield to the
forces of labor.
10. Pelvis Shape: gynecoid shape is most suitable for labor.
11. Gynecoid Pelvis: round, cylindric shape with a wide pubic arch, about 50% of women, and best for giving
birth.
econd best shape
12. Anthropoid Pelvis: long, narrow oval with a longer diameter but narrow pubic arch, s
but fetus may be born posterior.
, 13. Android Shape: heart or triangle shape with narrow diameters and pubic arch, and poor for labor.
1. Maternal Responses to Labor: labor contractions are intermittent (allows placental blood flow and
exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste), the upper uterus contracts actively during labor as it pushes the fetus down,
it brings cervical effacement and dilation.
2. Fetal Responses to Labor: placental circulation (enough in reverses to tolerate labor), cardiovascular
system reacts quickly, in pulmonary system the fetal lung fluid production decreases, thoracic compression during
labor aids in expulsion of additional fluid, and lung tissue increases.
3. Maternal Supine Hypotension: mothers blood pressure drops while she is laying on her back to the
weight of the fetus/uterus cutting the circulation off of the vena cava, to prevent turn mom on her left side and recheck
blood pressure in 5 minutes.
4. Birthing Process (The 4 P's): powers, passage, passenger, and psyche
5. Powers: uterine contractions and the maternal pushing.
6. Involuntary: first phase, onset throughout dilation, uterine contractions are the primary force moving the fetus
through the maternal pelvis.
,7. Voluntary: second stage, dilation through birth, the women uses her voluntary pushing efforts to propel the
fetus through the pelvis.
8. Passage: consists of the maternal pelvis and its soft tissues.
9. Bony Pelvis: more important to the outcome of labor, because the bones and joints do not readily yield to the
forces of labor.
10. Pelvis Shape: gynecoid shape is most suitable for labor.
11. Gynecoid Pelvis: round, cylindric shape with a wide pubic arch, about 50% of women, and best for giving
birth.
econd best shape
12. Anthropoid Pelvis: long, narrow oval with a longer diameter but narrow pubic arch, s
but fetus may be born posterior.
, 13. Android Shape: heart or triangle shape with narrow diameters and pubic arch, and poor for labor.
