Nursing The Laboring Family: Anatomy of the Pelvis and Fetal Monitoring

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the anatomy of the pelvis, fetal presentations, and electronic fetal monitoring techniques discussed in the lecture.

True Pelvis

The bony passageway through which the fetus must travel during birth.

False Pelvis

The upper flared parts of the iliac bones and concavities, including the wings of the sacrum.

Linea Terminalis

An imaginary line that separates the false pelvis from the true pelvis.

Gynecoid Pelvis

A round pelvic shape, most preferred for vaginal delivery.

Android Pelvis

A heart-shaped pelvic structure, typically unfavorable for vaginal delivery.

Anthropoid Pelvis

An oval pelvic shape that is usually adequate for vaginal delivery.

Platypelloid Pelvis

A flat pelvic shape that is not favorable for vaginal delivery.

Fontanels

Soft spots on the fetal skull that help identify the position of the fetal head.

Attitude

The relationship of body parts to one another, with normal being flexion.

Lie

The orientation of the fetal axis to the maternal axis, with normal being longitudinal.

Presentation

The part of the fetus entering the inlet first, with normal being cephalic.

Position

The relation of the presenting part to the pelvis, with normal being occiput either transverse or anterior.

Fetal Station

Measurement of the fetal position in relation to the ischial spines, designated as plus or minus numbers.

Fetal Engagement

When the presenting part reaches zero station.

Leopold’s Maneuvers

A series of assessments used to determine fetal position and descent.

Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM)

A method of monitoring fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions.

Transducer

A device used to capture high-frequency sound waves for monitoring FHR externally.

Internal Mode

Fetal heart rate monitoring through a spiral electrode that requires ruptured membranes and some cervical dilation.

Reassuring FHR criteria

FHR of 110-170 bpm, variability 6-25 bpm, presence of accelerations, and absence of decelerations.