In this Study Session, you have learned that:
  • Labour is said to be normal if it has the following characteristics i.e. start spontaneously (without any intervention), the whole process takes not more than 18hrs, vaginally and occurs at term. The fetus presented vertex and alive requires no or minimal resuscitation. No complication arises on both fetus and mother.
  • There are some parameters that will help you to differentiate true labour from false labour:
    • True labour is characterised by regular contractions which start at the back and later moves to the lower abdomen. The uterine contractions result in cervical dilation and, increase with frequency, duration and intensity. Contractions remain no matter what the mother do.
    • False labour is characterised by irregular contractions with no actual position. The uterine contractions do not result in cervical dilation and do not increase frequency, duration and intensity. It is relieved by strong anti pains.
  • Labour is traditionally classified into four stages:
    • The first stage of labour is from the onset of true labour till full dilation of the cervix. The first stage of labour is further classified in two phases based on the cervical dilatation:
      • Latent phase: is the period between the start of regular rhythmic contractions up to cervical dilatation of 43 cm.
      • Active phase: starts as the cervix dilates 4 cm till fully dilated.
    • The second stage of labour goes from full dilation of the cervix to birth of the baby.
    • The third stage of labour starts from the birth of the baby till expulsion of the placenta.
    • The fourth stage of labour starts from the expulsion of the placenta till one hour after birth.
  • The mechanism is the series made by the fetus as he/she passes through the birth canal. The eight cardinal movement made by the fetus during childbirth are Engagement --> Descent --> Flexion --> Internal rotation --> Extension --> External rotation (restitution) --> Lateral flexion of the body --> Expulsion
  • The partograph has different sections including:
    • Demographic section which constitutes the name, gravidity, parity admission date and time and rupture of membrane
    • Graphical section i.e. fetal heart rate, liquor, moulding, cervical dilation and fetal head descent, intensity, oxytocin was given, iv drug and fluid, maternal vital sign and lastly urine analysis for protein and ketone.
Last modified: Friday, 2 September 2016, 9:45 PM