Normal Labor and Delivery - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on Normal Labor and Delivery.

Fundus

The upper portion of the uterus; palpated to assess uterine contractions and involution.

Contractions (Frequency)

How often contractions occur; interval between the start of one contraction and the start of the next.

Contractions (Duration)

The length of a single contraction from start to end (in seconds).

Contractions (Intensity)

Strength of a contraction; described as mild, moderate, or strong.

Effacement

Thinning and shortening of the cervix, expressed as a percentage from 0% to 100%.

Dilation

Opening of the cervix measured in centimeters from 0 to 10 cm.

Fontanels

Soft spots on the fetal skull where sutures intersect; allow molding during birth.

Anterior fontanel

Diamond-shaped soft spot on the top of the fetal head; remains open until later in infancy.

Posterior fontanel

Triangular soft spot at the back of the fetal head.

Nulliparous

A woman who has never given birth.

Parous

A woman who has given birth previously.

Gravidity

The number of times a woman has been pregnant.

Parity

The number of pregnancies carried to viability or number of births.

EDD/EDC

Estimated Date of Delivery; the expected due date.

Amniotomy

Artificial rupture of membranes to induce or augment labor.

Relaxin

Hormone that loosens pelvic ligaments and softens cervix to facilitate birth.

False pelvis

Pelvic region that supports the uterus but does not form the birth canal.

True pelvis

The bony passage through which the fetus must pass; forms the birth canal.

Increment

The rising phase of a uterine contraction up to its peak.

Peak (Contraction Intensity)

The maximum intensity or strength of a contraction.

Decrement

The decreasing phase of a contraction as it relaxes.

Interval

The period of uterine relaxation between contractions.

Duration

How long a contraction lasts (in seconds).

Frequency

How often contractions occur (measured in minutes).

Braxton Hicks contractions

Prelabor contractions that are irregular and do not cause progressive cervical change.

Lightening

Descent of the presenting part into the pelvis toward term.

Bloody show

Bloody mucus plug indicating cervical changes near labor.

True labor

Labor characterized by regular contractions and progressive cervical change.

Cervical changes

Effacement and dilation of the cervix as labor progresses.

Station

Relation of the presenting part to the ischial spines; 0 at the spines; positive numbers below, negative above.

Sterile Vaginal Exam (SVE)

Assessment of dilation, effacement, and station during labor.

Stages of Labor

First stage (0-10 cm with latent, active, and transition); second stage (birth); third stage (delivery of placenta); fourth stage (recovery).

Cardinal movements

Sequence of fetal descent and rotation during vertex birth: descent, engagement, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, expulsion.

Descent

Downward movement of the presenting part through the birth canal.

Engagement

The presenting part passes through the pelvic inlet and engages in the pelvis.

Flexion

Fetal head flexes to negotiate the pelvis; smaller diameter passes.

Internal rotation

Fetal head rotates to align with the pelvic outlet.

Extension

Head extends as it passes beneath the pubic symphysis.

External rotation (Restitution)

Head rotates to align with the shoulders after birth of the head.

Expulsion

Delivery of the infant after the shoulders pass through the birth canal.

Vertex presentation

Cephalic presentation with the head well flexed (complete flexion).

Military presentation

Cephalic presentation with moderate flexion of the head.

Brow presentation

Cephalic presentation with poor flexion (partial extension).

Face presentation

Cephalic presentation with full extension of the head.

Frank breech

Breech presentation with buttocks presenting and legs extended upward.

Full breech

Breech presentation with buttocks first and both hips flexed and legs extended over the chest.

Single footling breech

Breech presentation with one or both feet presenting.

Leopold's maneuvers

Four abdominal palpation maneuvers to determine fetal position and presentation.

Fetal lie

Orientation of the fetal long axis to the mother's long axis: longitudinal, oblique, or transverse.

Fetal presentation

Which part of the fetus reaches the pelvic inlet: cephalic, breech, or shoulder.

Fetal attitude

Degree of flexion or extension of the fetal body; most favorable is complete flexion.