Chapter 16: Nursing Care of the Family During Labor and Birth - Intrapartum Interventions

Mississippi College: NUR390 - Maternal, Newborn, and Women's Health

how many stages of labor are there?

4

what does a woman experience in the first stage of labor?

the woman has contractions and her cervix dilates

what does a woman experience in the second stage of labor?

the woman pushes, giving birth to the baby

what does a woman experience in the third stage of labor?

the woman expels the placenta 

what does a woman experience in the fourth stage of labor?

the postpartum period

the first stage of labor begins with the onset of what?

regular uterine contractions

the first stage of labor ends with what?

full cervical effacement and dilation

what are the two phases of the first stage of labor?

• latent phase

• active phase

what is the range that the woman is dilated to in the latent phase?

0-6 cm

what is the range that the woman is dilated to on the active phase?

6 cm-10 cm

what are some nursing considerations in the first stage of labor?

• determination of true or false labor (typically taught to patient in third trimester)

• Braxton-Hicks are real contractions (painless)

what are the differences between true labor contractions and false labor contractions?

True labor contractions:

• occur regularly, becoming stronger, lasting longer, and occurring closer together

• are usually felt in the lower back, radiating to the lower portion of the abdomen

• continue despite use of comfort measures

False labor contractions:

• occur irregularly or become regular only temporarily

• often stop with walking or position change

• can be felt in the back or the abdomen above the umbilicus

• can often be stopped through the use of comfort measures

what are some comfort measures that a woman can manage during early labor?

• ambulation

• showers

• mindful meditation

• acupressure

• partner support

• massage

• nutrition

what does the assessment for the first stage of labor include?

• prenatal data

• interview

• admission data

• psychosocial factors

• stress in labor

• ethnic or cultural factors

what does the gathering of prenatal data in ana assessment include?

• record of prenatal care from HCP

• VS trends

• weight gain 

• immunizations 

• GBS

• previous experience 

• previous deliveries 

what does the interview include in an assessment?

• Why is the patient here?

• SROM or unsure of labor?

• bloody show

• SROM tests —→ Nitrazine test for pH/ Fern test