Labor and Delivery Review Notes

Vocabulary flashcards created for key concepts from lecture notes on labor and delivery.

Preterm Labor

Diagnosis based on cervical effacement and dilation of more than 2 cm.

Tocolytic Therapy

Used to stop uterine contractions to keep the fetus in utero until maturity.

Magnesium Sulfate

Drug of choice for preterm labor; protects fetus from developing cerebral palsy.

Prolapsed Umbilical Cord

Occurs when umbilical cord slips into pelvis, risking blood supply compression to the fetus.

Uterine Rupture

Tear in the uterine wall due to pressure, classified as complete or incomplete.

Amniotomy

Artificial rupture of membranes to induce or augment labor.

Cesarean Birth

Surgical delivery of the fetus through incisions in the abdomen/uterus.

Precipitate Birth

Completed labor in less than 3 hours, potentially compromising fetal oxygenation.

Induction of Labor

Intentional initiation of labor when continuing pregnancy is hazardous.

Analgesic Potentiators

Ataractics that reduce anxiety and nausea but are not analgesics.

Non-Pharmacological Relaxation Techniques

Methods to promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension during labor.

Hyperventilation

Excessive breathing leading to dizziness and tingling; requires corrective measures.

Cervical Ripening

Physical softening of the cervix leading to effacement and dilation.

Prostaglandins

Hormones that help ripen the cervix and induce contractions during labor.

Fetal Fibronectin Test

Used to predict impending preterm labor based on cervicovaginal secretions.