Labor and Delivery: Key Concepts

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and definitions related to the labor and delivery process, helping students prepare for their exam.

Cephalic Presentation

Most common fetal presentation where the head is positioned to enter the maternal pelvis first.

Breech Presentation

Fetal presentation where the buttocks are positioned to enter the maternal pelvis first.

Shoulder Presentation

Fetal presentation where the shoulder is the presenting part, often requiring a cesarean section.

Flexion Attitude

Fetal posture where the chin is tucked to the chest, optimizing the smallest head diameter for delivery.

Extension Attitude

Fetal posture where the head is tilted back, leading to larger diameter presenting and increased risk of prolonged labor.

Five Ps of Labor

Factors influencing the labor process: Passenger (fetus), Passageway (birth canal), Powers (contractions), Position (maternal), and Psychologic state.

True Labor

Labor characterized by regular contractions, increasing intensity, causing cervical dilation and effacement.

Braxton Hicks Contractions

Irregular and non-progressive contractions that do not lead to cervical changes.

Myometrium

The muscular layer of the uterus responsible for contractions during labor.

Oxytocin

A hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that stimulates uterine contractions and milk letdown.

Tachysystole

More than five contractions in a ten-minute period, averaged over 30 minutes.

Lochia

The vaginal discharge after childbirth, consisting of blood, mucus, and uterine tissue.

Fundal Assessment

Evaluation of the uterine fundal height postpartum to monitor involution and detect potential hemorrhage.

Episiotomy

A surgical incision made in the perineum to enlarge the vaginal opening during childbirth.

Nuchal Cord

The condition where the umbilical cord is wrapped around the fetal neck.

Apgar Score

A system to assess the health of newborns at 1 and 5 minutes after birth based on appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.

HELLP Syndrome

A severe form of preeclampsia characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets.

Preeclampsia

A pregnancy complication marked by high blood pressure and possible damage to other organ systems.

Preterm Labor

Labor that begins before 37 weeks of gestation.

Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

A condition that can occur when a newborn inhales a mixture of meconium and amniotic fluid into the lungs during or before delivery.

Epidural Analgesia

A form of regional anesthesia used during labor that blocks pain signals from the lower body.

Birthing Center

A healthcare facility designed for low-risk pregnancies that emphasizes a homelike environment.