Vaginal Birth and Maternity Nursing Lecture Notes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the terminology, stages, and anatomical considerations of pregnancy and labor based on lecture notes.

Lie

The relationship of the long axis of the fetus to the long axis of the uterus.

Attitude

The relationship of the fetal head and limbs to the fetal trunk.

Presentation

The part of the fetus which lies in the lower segment of the uterus.

Denominator

A fixed point on the presenting part used to describe position.

Position

The relationship of a denominator to the quadrant of the maternal pelvis.

Engagement

When the largest diameter of the presenting part has passed through the pelvic brim, which is widest from side to side at that level of ischial spines ($0$ = engagement).

Station

The level of presenting part in relationship to the maternal ischial spines; plus stations indicate that the presenting part has descended past the ischial spines.

Mechanisms of labor

Passive movement of the foetus as it passes through the birth canal adapting to the shape of the maternal pelvis.

Normal labor

A process by which the fetus, placenta, and membranes are expelled through the birth canal, beginning spontaneously without intervention with the fetus presenting by the vertex, lasting $4$-$24$ hours.

Preterm labor

The onset of labor before $37$ weeks of pregnancy.

Antenatal period

The time of conception until the onset of labor.

Postpartum or puerperium

The period taken for the reproductive organs to return to the pre gravidid state, usually $6$ weeks following childbirth.

Gravida

Pregnant.

Para

Term used to describe a woman who has produced one or more living children.

Paros

A woman who has born one or more viable offspring.

Premi gravida

A woman pregnant for the first time.

Multi gravida

A pregnant woman who has had previously more than one pregnancy.

Grande Multi gravida

A woman in her fourth or subsequent pregnancy but who has not necessarily born live children in previous pregnancies.

Premi Parra

A woman who has given birth to a viable infant living or stillborn.

Nolipara

A woman who has never given birth to a viable child but may have been pregnant.

Maltipara

A woman who has born more than one viable infant.

Gran Maltipara

A woman of high parity, usually one who has born $4$ or more children.

Maternal mobility

Illness or injury from the time of conception until the end of the suroperium and attributed to childhood.

Maternal mortality

Death from the time of conception until the time completion of the puerperium and attributed to childbirth.

Viable

Capable of independent life.

Neonatal period

Pertains to the first $4$ weeks after birth.

Upper uterine segment

The upper part of the uterus in pregnancy developed from the body.

Lower uterine segment

The lower part of the uterus in pregnancy developed from the isthmus and cervix.

Braxton Hicks contractions

Contractions in the uterus during pregnancy which are painless.

Retraction

The process of permanent and progressive shortening of the muscles of the uterus which accompanies contractions during labor to dilate the cervix and expel the fetus, membranes, and placenta.

Psychological retraction ring

The line of demarcation which develops at the junction of the upper and lower uterine segment in normal labor.

Polarity

Coordination between the upper and lower uterine segments during normal labor.

Favorable or ripe cervix

The cervix is soft and considered favorable for labor.

Effacement

The thinning of the cervix in preparation for birth, expressed in percentages; a woman needs to be $100\%$ effaced to push.

Dilatation

The extent to which the cervix has opened as a result of uterine contractions; full dilatation is $10\text{ cm}$.

First stage of labor

Begins with the onset of labor until complete dilation of the cervix.

Second stage of labor

From complete dilation of the cervix until the birth of the infant.

Third stage of labor

From the birth of the infant until the placenta and membranes are delivered.

Fondal Dominance

The greatest strength of contractions occurs in the fundus of the uterus, moving down the upper segment in diminishing strength.

Liquor

Amniotic fluid.

Four waters

The bag of membranes and liquor in front of the presenting part.

Hindwaters

Liquor contained in the uterus behind the presenting part.

Secondary powers

Abdominal muscles and the diaphragm used to push in the second stage of labor.

Fetal Axis Pressure

Force of the fundal contraction transmitted to the upper pole of the fetus down to its long axis.

Moulding

Alterations in the shape and diameters of the fetal head during labor.

Kaput subsidadium

Occurs on the fetus scalp as a result of Oudmar from obstructed venous return and pressure on the birth canal.

Lightning

The presenting part enters the pelvis, usually after $36$ weeks.

Pathograph

Provides a graphical record of the progression of labor, particularly cervical dilatation and descent of the presenting part.

Involution

Return of the uterus to its prepregnant state.

Crowning

When the baby's head has passed through the birth canal and the top stays visible at the vaginal opening.

Human chorionic gonotropin

Secreted by trophoblast to stimulate the corpus luteum; prevents rejection of the baby, used in pregnancy tests, and causes morning sickness.

Human placental lactogen

Begins $5$-$10$ days after implantation to facilitate growth; low levels are associated with miscarriage.

Ischial tuberosity

A large prominence on which the body rests when sitting.

Ischial spines

Inward projections above the ischial tuberosity used to estimate fetal head situation in terms of centimeters above or below.

Variability

Minor fluctuations in baseline FHR of $5$ to $25$ beats in amplitude, indicating adequate fetal perfusion.

Accelerations

Transient increase in FHR of $15\,BPM$ or more above baseline lasting at least $15\,seconds$.

Decelerations

Decrease in FHR below the baseline of more than $15\,BPM$ lasting at least $15\,seconds$; may be early, variable, prolonged, or late.

Genicoid

Ideal pelvic type for childbearing with a rounded brim and generous cavity.

Android

Least favorable male-style pelvis with a heart-shaped brim and straight sacrum.

Anthropoid

Pelvis with a long oval brim that may favor occipital posterior position.

Plateaumannoid

Pelvis with a kidney-shaped brim and increased risk of obstruction.

Latent phase of labor

Beginning of effective labor involving effacement and dilatation until $3\text{ cm}$.

Active phase of labor

Phase where the cervix dilates approximately $3$ to $8\text{ cm}$ with regular, stronger contractions.

Transitional phase

Phase where the cervix is $8$ to $10\text{ cm}$ dilated, often accompanied by a bloody show and restlessness.

Oxytocic

Any drug that stimulates contractions of the uterus to induce or accelerate labor.

Teratogen

An agent or influence that causes physical defects in the developing fetus.