Fetal Presentation

What is a fetal presentation?

It is part of the fetus that enters the pelvic inlet first

• What does Cephalic/vertex mean?

• Head first

• What does breech mean?

Babies buttocks or feet first

• What to watch out for in breech?

• The meconium usually passes due to the pressure

• What is complete breech/

• Babies hips and knees are both flexed

• Butt closest to birth canal

• “Cannonball” position

• What is a single foot breech?

• Where only 1 foot is closest to birth canal

• What is frank breech/

• Bottom is closest to birth canal but feet are near its head

• What is the fetal position?

Relation of the fetus to the four quadrants of the maternal pelvis (3 letter abbreviation

• How do you rate fetal position?

• Letter 1

  • R or L

    • Side of the mothers pelvic or neither

• Letter 2

  • Occiput

    • What part is coming first (usually O)

• Letter 3

  • A (anterior) or P (posterior)

    • Is head face up or down

    • (think of it as P up if you saw pop you be surprised)

• Are you supposed to see your face when it comes out?

• NO

• What happens during the 1st stage of labor?

• Onset regular uterine contraction to full dilation

• What is latent dilation?

• 0-3

• What is active dilation?

• 4-7

• What is transition dilation?

• 8-10

• What happens in the second stage of labor?

• Full dilation to delivery of infant

• What is the only object sign of the 2nd stage?

• Inability to feel cervix on vagonal exam

• What are the subjective signs of the second stage of labor?

• Sudden vomiting

• Bloody show

• Shaking of body

• Restlessness

• Involuntary bearing down

• What is the 3rd stage of labor?

• From birth of fetus until delivery of placenta

• Only 3 to 5 minutes

• How can you tell the 3rd stage is occurring?

• The cord lengthens

• Gush of blood

• Change in shape of uterus

• What is the 4th stage of labor?

• Immediate recovery homeostasis

• About 2 hours