Labor and Birth Processes & Nursing Care Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering labor stages, fetal positioning, monitoring patterns, and obstetric emergencies based on lecture notes.

Anterior fontanel

The larger of the two fontanels that closes within $18$ months after birth.

Posterior fontanel

The smaller of the two fontanels that closes within $6-8$ weeks after birth.

Cephalic presentation

A fetal presentation where the head enters the pelvic inlet first.

Breech presentation

A fetal presentation where the buttocks, feet, or both enter the pelvic inlet first.

Fetal lie

The relation of the long axis (spine) of the fetus to the long axis (spine) of the mother.

General flexion

The fetal attitude where the arms are crossed over the thorax and the umbilical cord lies between the arms and legs.

Biparietal diameter

The largest transverse diameter of the fetal head, measuring approximately $9.25\text{…cm}$ at term.

Station

The relationship of the presenting fetal part to an imaginary line drawn between the maternal ischial spines, measured in centimeters.

Engagement

The point when the largest transverse diameter of the presenting part has passed through the maternal pelvic brim into the true pelvis, usually corresponding to station $0$.

Gynecoid

The classic female pelvic type, occurring in 50\text{…%} of women.

Effacement

The shortening and thinning of the cervix during the first stage of labor.

Dilation

The enlargement or widening of the cervical opening and the cervical canal once labor has begun.

First stage of labor

The period from the onset of regular uterine contractions to full dilation of the cervix.

Second stage of labor

The period from the time the cervix is fully dilated to the birth of the infant.

Third stage of labor

The period from the birth of the infant until the delivery of the placenta.

Fourth stage of labor

The period from the delivery of the placenta until the woman’s condition is stable, usually within $1\text{…hour}$.

Asynclitism

The condition where the fetal head is deflected anteriorly or posteriorly in the pelvis to facilitate descent.

Normal Fetal Heart Rate (FHR)

A baseline range between $110-160\text{…bpm}$.

Visceral pain

Pain resulting from uterine ischemia and pressure on adjacent structures during the first stage of labor, transmitted via $T10$, $T12$, and $L1$ nerve segments.

Somatic pain

Sharp, intense, and burning pain during the end of the first stage and the second stage of labor caused by stretching of pelvic structures.

Epidural IV bolus

The administration of $1000\text{…mL}$ of Lactated Ringer's ($LR$) within $30\text{…min}$ of epidural administration to prevent hypotension.

Postdural headache

A severe headache caused by regional anesthesia when the dura is punctured, causing spinal fluid to leak; it disappears when the patient lies down.

FHR Variability

Irregular waves or fluctuations in the baseline FHR of two cycles per minute or greater.

FHR Tachycardia

A baseline FHR greater than $160\text{…bpm}$ for $10\text{…min}$ or longer.

FHR Bradycardia

A baseline FHR less than $110\text{…bpm}$ for $10\text{…min}$ or longer.

Early decelerations

Decelerations caused by fetal head compression; they do not require clinical intervention.

Late decelerations

Decelerations caused by placental insufficiency; require interventions like left lateral positioning and IV bolus.

Variable decelerations

Decelerations caused by umbilical cord compression.

Bishop Score

A scoring system used to evaluate the favorability of the cervix for induction based on dilation, effacement, station, consistency, and position.

Tachysystole

Uterine hyperstimulation characterized by more than $5$ contractions in $10\text{…min}$ or contractions lasting more than $2\text{…min}$.

Episiotomy

An incision in the perineum used to enlarge the vaginal outlet.

Precipitous labor

Labor that is completed in less than $3\text{…hours}$.

Amniotic Fluid Embolus

A rare emergency where amniotic fluid enters maternal circulation, potentially leading to respiratory arrest, circulatory collapse, and a mortality rate of 70-80\text{…%}.