Pregnancy and Delivery Notes

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts related to pregnancy and delivery.

Doula

A female servant who provides emotional, physical, and informational support to pregnant women and their families.

Birth Plan

A document that outlines a pregnant woman's preferences for labor and delivery.

Epidural Analgesic

A combination of medications delivered into the epidural space to provide pain relief during labor.

PCEA

Patient Controlled Epidural Analgesic, allowing patients to manage their own pain relief during labor.

Spinal Analgesic

Medications delivered through the subarachnoid space for pain relief during labor.

Pudendal Block

Local anesthesia given to numb the perineum area during vaginal delivery.

SVD

Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery, the birth of a baby without surgical intervention.

APGAR Score

A scoring system to assess a newborn's health at 1 and 5 minutes after birth.

Ballard Score

A physical exam that estimates a newborn's gestational age based on physical and neuromuscular criteria.

Hemolysis

Destruction of red blood cells, which can lead to elevated bilirubin levels in newborns.

Meconium

The first stool of a newborn, usually dark and tarry.

Placental Abruption

Premature detachment of the placenta from the uterus, which can compromise pregnancy.

Uterine Rupture

A tear in the uterine wall that can occur during labor, especially in women with a previous cesarean section.

Shoulder Dystocia

A complication during birth where the baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pelvic bone.

Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH)

Excessive bleeding after delivery, defined as more than 500 mL after vaginal delivery or 1000 mL after cesarean section.

Nitrous Oxide

A gas used for pain management during labor, self-administered by the patient.

Cord Clamping

The process of cutting the umbilical cord after birth, which may be immediate or delayed depending on the baby's condition.

Tears (degree of laceration)

Tears that occur during vaginal delivery, classified by severity from first to fourth degree.