Comprehensive Intrapartum Nursing Care and Labor Mechanisms Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering intrapartum nursing, essential labor concepts (the 5 Ps), fetal head anatomy, labor mechanisms, and stages of labor based on lecture notes.

5 Ps of Labor

The five essential components required for labor and birth: Passage/Passageway, Passenger, Position, Powers, and Psyche.

Passage (Passageway)

The maternal birth canal, which includes the size and type of the maternal pelvis, the cervix's ability to dilate and efface, and the distensibility of the vaginal canal and external opening.

Passenger

The fetus moving through the birth canal, characterized by the fetal head size, fetal attitude, fetal lie, and fetal presentation.

Position

The relationship of the fetal presenting part to the maternal pelvis, encompassing fetal station, engagement, and positional orientation.

Powers

The forces driving labor, consisting of primary forces (involuntary uterine contractions) and secondary forces (voluntary abdominal pushing or bearing down).

Psyche

The psychological state of the mother during labor, influenced by emotions (fear, anxiety, excitement), energy levels, exhaustion, and social support systems.

Gynecoid Pelvis

The classic female pelvic shape that provides the best indication of probable success for a vaginal delivery.

Android Pelvis

A heart-shaped, male-type pelvis that is most likely to lead to a cesarean delivery.

Cervical Dilation

The gradual opening and widening of the cervix during labor, measured from $0\,m$ (closed) to $10\,cm$ (fully dilated).

Cervical Effacement

The process of the cervix softening, thinning, shortening, and drawing up, measured in percentages from $0\%$ (long and thick) to $100\%$ (fully effaced).

True Labor

Labor characterized by regular contractions with shortening intervals, increasing duration and intensity, progressive cervical dilation and effacement, back discomfort radiating to the abdomen, and contractions that persist despite rest or a warm tub bath.

False Labor

Labor characterized by irregular contractions without progressive cervical changes, abdominal discomfort, and contractions that lessen with rest or a warm tub bath.

Lightening

A premonitory sign of impending labor where the fetal presenting part settles down into the true pelvis, relieving pressure on the maternal diaphragm.

Biparietal Diameter (BPD)

The largest transverse diameter of the fetal skull.

Molding

The adaptation of the fetal skull shape caused by the overlapping of cranial bones along suture lines during labor and delivery.

Fetal Attitude

The relation of the fetal body parts to one another, typically demonstrated as generalized flexion (chin tucked to chest).

Fetal Lie

The relationship of the long axis (spine) of the fetus to the long axis (spine) of the mother, categorized as longitudinal (vertical) or transverse (horizontal).

Fetal Presentation

The body part of the fetus that enters the pelvic inlet first, categorized as cephalic/vertex, breech, or shoulder.

Fetal Station

The measurement in centimeters of the relationship between the fetal presenting part and the maternal ischial spines, ranging from $-5$ (above spines) to $+5$ (below spines).

Ischial Spines

The anatomical landmark of the maternal pelvis used as the reference point for station $0$.

Engagement

The point in labor when the widest part of the fetal presenting part reaches station $0$ at the level of the maternal ischial spines.

Ballotable

The state of the fetus when the presenting part is unengaged and floating freely above the pelvic inlet.

Primary Forces

Involuntary uterine muscle contractions responsible for cervical effacement and progressive cervical dilation up to $10\,cm$.

Secondary Forces

Voluntary use of abdominal muscles by the laboring woman to bear down and push the fetus out during the second stage of labor.

Contraction Frequency

The time interval measured from the start of one uterine contraction to the beginning of the next contraction.

Contraction Duration

The time measured from the beginning of a single uterine contraction to the end of that same contraction.

Contraction Intensity

The force or strength of a uterine contraction measured at its peak (acme).

Acme

The peak or point of maximum intensity during a uterine contraction.

Cardinal Movements of Labor

The sequential positional adaptations the fetus undergoes to pass through the pelvis: Engagement, Descent, Flexion, Internal Rotation, Extension, External Rotation, and Expulsion.

First Stage of Labor

The stage of labor that begins with the onset of regular labor contractions and ends when the cervix is fully dilated ($10\,cm$).

Latent Phase

The early portion of the First Stage of Labor ($0\text{--}5\,cm$ dilation) where contractions begin, excitement is high, and the client is generally able to cope.

Active Phase

The portion of the First Stage of Labor ($6\text{--}10\,cm$ dilation) where anxiety increases, coping mechanisms are tested, and intense focus is needed.

Second Stage of Labor

The pushing stage of labor that begins with full cervical dilation ($10\,cm$) and ends with the delivery of the fetus.

Third Stage of Labor

The stage of labor that begins after the birth of the fetus and ends with the complete delivery of the placenta (normally lasting under $30\,minutes$).

Fourth Stage of Labor

The initial recovery period lasting $1\text{--}4\,hours$ postpartum, characterized by maternal physiological stabilization, uterine contraction monitoring, and potential shaking/chills.

Shiny Schultze

Delivery of the placenta with the shiny, smooth fetal surface emerging first.

Dirty Duncan

Delivery of the placenta with the dark, rough maternal surface emerging first.

Kangaroo Care

Direct skin-to-skin contact between mother and newborn that aids neonatal temperature/heart rate regulation, promotes parent-infant attachment, and stimulates breastmilk production.