NCM 107 - Prenatal Care and Labor Processes Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering prenatal care definitions, fundal height landmarks, weight gain guidelines, fetal presentation/positioning terms, and Leopold's maneuvers from NCM 107 Module 2-Unit 1.

AOG

Acronym standing for Age of Gestation.

NSD

Acronym standing for Normal Spontaneous Delivery.

CS

Acronym standing for Cesarean Section.

PROM

Acronym standing for Premature Rupture of Membrane.

NIL

Acronym standing for Not in Labor.

Prenatal Care

Also known as antenatal care; health care given during pregnancy or before delivery.

Fundal Height

Measurement of the height of the uterus above the symphysis pubis, used to aid in the identification of high risk factors.

Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

A condition indicated by a decreased fundal height or small for gestational age (SGA).

Large for Gestational Age (LGA)

An excessive increase in fundal height that could indicate the presence of more than one fetus or hydramnios.

Macrosomia

A condition in which a fetus is larger than average, with a birth weight between 4,000 grams (8 pounds, 13 ounces) and 4,500 grams (9 pounds, 15 ounces).

Lightening

A drop in the level of the uterus during the last weeks of pregnancy as the head of the fetus engages in the pelvis.

Pubic Symphysis (Fundal Landmark)

The fundal height landmark corresponding to 12-14 weeks of gestation.

Umbilicus (Fundal Landmark)

The fundal height landmark corresponding to 20-22 weeks of gestation.

Xiphoid Process (Fundal Landmark)

The fundal height landmark corresponding to 36-40 weeks of gestation.

Labor

A series of continuous, progressive contractions of the uterus which help the cervix to open (dilate) and to thin (efface), allowing the fetus to move through the birth canal and expel from the woman's body.

Childbirth

The overall process that includes both labor (the process of birth) and delivery (the birth itself).

The 5 Ps of Labor

The essential components of labor comprising Passenger (fetus), Powers (uterine contractions), Passage (the pelvis & maternal soft parts), Position (maternal), and Psyche (maternal psychological status).

Molding

The change in shape of the fetal skull produced by uterine contractions pressing the vertex against the non-yet dilated cervix.

Anterior Fontanel

A diamond-shaped intersection of sutures on the fetal skull that closes by 18 months after birth.

Posterior Fontanel

A triangular intersection of sutures on the fetal skull that closes 2 to 3 months after birth.

Fetal Presentation

Refers to the part of the fetus that enters the pelvic inlet first and leads through the birth canal during labor at term.

Cephalic Presentation

A fetal presentation where the head enters the pelvic inlet first.

Breech Presentation

A fetal presentation where the buttocks or feet enter the pelvic inlet first.

Shoulder Presentation

A fetal presentation where the shoulder enters the pelvic inlet first.

Fetal Lie

The relation of the long axis (spine) of the fetus to the long axis (spine) of the mother.

Longitudinal Lie

A fetal lie in which the long axis of the fetus is parallel with the long axis of the mother.

Transverse Lie

A fetal lie in which the long axis of the fetus is at a right angle diagonal to the long axis of the mother.

Fetal Attitude

The relationship of the fetal parts to each other, such as the military attitude where the fetal head is not flexed and the chin is held straight up.

Fetal Position

The positioning of the body of a prenatal fetus as it develops, where the back is curved, the head is bowed, and the limbs are bent and drawn up to the torso.

Leopold's Maneuvers

Four specific steps in palpating the uterus through the abdomen to determine the lie and presentation of the fetus, named after German obstetrician Christian Gerhard Leopold.

Fundal Grip (Step 1)

The first step of Leopold's maneuvers where both hands palpate the upper abdomen to determine the shape, size, mobility, and consistency of the fetal part in the fundus.

Umbilical Grip (Step 2)

The second step of Leopold's maneuvers where deep pressure is applied with the palms to gentle palpate the abdomen to identify the fetal back and small parts.

Pawlick's Grip (Step 3)

The third step of Leopold's maneuvers where the lower abdomen is grasped just above the pubic symphysis using the thumb and fingers of one hand to check if the presenting part is engaged.

Pelvic Grip (Step 4)

The fourth step of Leopold's maneuvers performed while facing the patient's feet, where fingers slide toward the pubis to locate the fetal brow and determine head flexion.