Abnormal Labour and Management Flashcards

Vocabulary-style practice flashcards based on the lecture on Abnormal Labour, covering definitions, phases, diagnostic criteria, and etiological factors.

Abnormal labor (Dystocia)

Labor characterized by poor progress, evidenced by a delay in cervical dilatation or descent of the presenting part, and/or signs of fetal compromise.

First stage of labor

The time from the onset of labor until complete cervical dilatation.

Second stage of labor

The time from complete cervical dilatation to the expulsion of the fetus.

Third stage of labor

The time from the expulsion of the fetus to the expulsion of the placenta.

The '3 Ps'

The three components that labor progress is dependent upon: powers (uterine contractions), passages (maternal pelvis), and passenger (fetus).

Protraction disorders

Labor abnormalities that refer to slower-than-normal progress occurring in the first or second stage.

Arrest disorders

Labor abnormalities that refer to the complete cessation of progress in the first or second stage.

Latent phase

The beginning of labor involving short, mild, irregular uterine contractions that soften, efface, and begin to dilate the cervix at a rate of $< 1\,\text{cm/h}$.

Active phase

The phase starting at $6\,\text{cm}$ dilation where cervical dilation accelerates to at least $1$ to $2\,\text{cm/h}$ and concludes with full dilation.

Prolonged latent phase (Nullipara)

An abnormally long latent phase defined as lasting more than $20\,\text{hours}$ for a nulliparous woman.

Prolonged latent phase (Multipara)

An abnormally long latent phase defined as lasting more than $14\,\text{hours}$ for a multiparous woman.

Hypocontractile uterine activity

Uterine activity that is not sufficiently strong or coordinated to dilate the cervix, quantified as pressures less than $200\,\text{Montevideo units}$.

Absolute Cephalopelvic Disproportion

A true disparity between the fetal dimensions and the maternal pelvic dimensions.

Relative Cephalopelvic Disproportion

A disparity due to fetal malposition (e.g., extended or asynclitic fetal head) or malpresentation rather than physical dimensions.

Active Phase Arrest

A condition diagnosed when there is no labor progress despite oxytocin therapy achieving $\ge 200\,\text{Montevideo units}$ for greater than $2\,\text{hours}$.

Precipitate labor

Labor and birth that occurs within $3\,\text{hours}$ of contractions starting, involving intense and frequent contractions.

Montevideo units

A unit of measure for uterine contraction pressures, used to quantify whether uterine activity is sufficient for labor progress.