INTRAPARTUM CARE refers to the medical and

nursing care given to a pregnant woman and her family during labor and delivery

Extends from the beginning of contractions that cause cervical dilation to the first 1 to 4 hours after delivery of the newborn and placenta.

1. Factors affecting labor and delivery

a. Passageway

refers to the adequacy of the pelvis and birth canal allowing fetal descent; factors include:

i. Types of female pelvis

Gynecoid – typical female pelvis with a rounded inlet

Android – normal male pelvis with a heart shaped inlet

Anthropoid – is an “apelike” pelvis with an oval inlet

Platypelloid – is a flat, female-type pelvis with a transverse oval inlet

ii. Structure of Pelvis

a. False pelvis vs. true pelvis

FALSE PELVIS - Superior half formed by the ilia. Offers landmark for pelvic measurements. Supports the growing fetus into the true pelvis near the end of gestation

 TRUE PELVIS - Inferior half formed by the pubes in front, the ilia and the ischia on the sides and the sacrum and coccyx behind.

iii. Adequate delivery diameterA. Pelvic Inlet diameter

Inlet – entrance way to the true pelvis. Its Transverse diameter is wider than its anteroposteror diameter. Also known as pelvic brim.

B. Pelvic Outlet diameterOutlet – inferior portion of the pelvis, bounded on the back by the coccyx, on the sides by the ischial tuberosities and in front by the inferior aspect of the symphysis pubis and the pubic arch. Its anteroposterior diameter is wider than its transverse diameter.

Engagement refers to settling of the presenting

part of the fetus into the pelvis to be at the level of the ischial spine, a midpoint of the pelvis.

- descent to this point means the pelvic inlet is proven adequate for birth

- “Floating”- a presenting part that is not engaged.

- “Dipping”- one that is descending but has not reached the ischial spine

Station- or degree of engagement; refers to the

relationship of the presenting part of a fetus to the level of the ischial spines

- minus stations (-1 to -4)= presenting part above ischial spine, measurement in cm

- plus stations (+1 to +4)= presenting part below ischial spine, measurement in cm

- station 0= presenting part engaged- station -4= presenting part is floating- station +4= presenting part is at outlet or it

is crowning (the encirclement of the largest diameter of the fetal head by the vulvar ring)

b. Passenger

This refers to the fetus and its ability to move through the passageway.

i. Fetal skullSize of the fetal head and capability of the head to

mold to the passageway.

o Molding- change in shape of fetal skull produced by force of contraction pressing the head against the not-yet dilated cervix

Fetal lie or presentationThe part of the fetus that enters the maternal

pelvis first; the body part that will be born first or contact the cervix first

A. Cephalic - head first; ideal presentation for NSVD because the bones of the skull are capable of molding so effectively to accommodate the cervix and may actually aid in cervical dilation

a. Vertex – head is sharply flexed, making the parietal bones the presenting parts.

b. Facec. Browd. Chin or mentum

B. Breech – either buttocks or feet first; difficult birth; can be delivered NSVD

iii. Fetal Lie- relationship between the long axis of the fetal body and the long axis f the woman’s body (cephalocaudal)

a. Horizontal (transverse)b. Vertical (longitudinal)- cephalic or breech

iv. Fetal AttitudeThe relationship of fetal parts to one another;

degree of flexion a fetus assumes during labor.

- GOOD ATTITUDE- if in complete flexion; the spinal column is bowed forward, the head is flexed forward so much that the chin touches the sternum, the arms are flexed and folded on the chest, the thighs are flexed onto the abdomen and the calves are pressed against the posterior aspect of the thighs

- MODERATE ATTITUDE- if chin is not touching the chest but is in alert or military position

- POOR ATTITUDE- the back is arched, the neck is extended and a fetus is in complete extension

v. Fetal positionThe relationship of presenting part and the

maternal pelvis which is divided into 4 quadrants:

1. Right anterior2. right posterior3. left anterior4. left posterior

Four parts of the fetus have been chosen as point of direction

 1. Occiput – = in vertex presentation2. Chin (mentum) – in face presentations3. Sacrum – breech presentations4. Scapula (acromion) – in shoulder

presentations.

Possible fetal positions:

LOA (left occipitoanterior)- most common fetal position (birthing is fast)

LOP (left occipitoposterior)- difficult delivery; more painful

LOT (left occipitotransverse)ROA (right occipitoanterior)- second most frequent

(birthing is fast)ROP (right occipitoposterior)- difficult delivery, more

painfulROT (right occipitotransverse)

*Posterior positions may be more painful for the mother, because the rotation of the fetal head puts pressure on the sacral nerves causing sharp back pain.

 

c. Power refers to the frequency, duration and strength of uterine contractions to cause complete cervical effacement and dilatation.Labor monitoring/ monitoring uterine

contractions: fingers should be spread lightly over the

fundus three phases of uterine contractions:

i. crescendo/increment- intensity of the contraction increase. This phase is longer than the other two phases combined.

ii. acme/apex- the height or peak of the contractioniii. decresenco/ decrement- intensity of the

contraction decreases

d. Psyche refers to the client’s psychological state, available support systems, preparation for childbirth, experiences and coping strategies.

e. Placental factors refer to the site of placental insertion.

2. Premonitory/preliminary/ prodromal signs of labor

a. Lightening – is the descent of the fetus and uterus into the pelvic cavity 2-3 weeks before the onset of labor.

Effects of lightening• Shooting pains down the legs because of

pressure on the sciatic nerve

• Increased lordosis as the fetus enters the pelvis and falls further forward

• Increased amount of vaginal discharges

• Resurgence of sign of pregnancy like urinary frequency, as the gravid uterus impinges on the bladder

• Relief of abdominal tightness and diaphragmatic pressure

b. Loss of weight2- 3 lbs is loss 2 days prior to onset of labor,

probably due to loss of appetite and decrease in progesterone level that leads to fluids excretion thus causing loss weight.

Progesterone – is known to cause fluid retention

c. Burst of energy or Increased tension and fatigue “Nesting behavior” – may occur right before the onset of labor.

Sudden burst of energy is due to increase in epinephrine in response to the stress brought about by the approaching delivery.

Pregnant woman should be caution not to use this energy to carry out household chores because it is meant to prepare the body for the labor.

d. Braxton Hicks contraction irregular intermittent contractions that have occurred throughout the pregnancy, become uncomfortable and produce a drawing pain in the abdomen and groin; painless uterine tightening

Also known as practice contraction.

e. Cervical changes include softening “ripening” describe as butter soft and effacement of the cervix that will cause expulsion of the mucous plug (bloody show).

f. Rupture of amniotic membranes or “the bag of water” may occur before the onset of labor.

• Its rupture may be seen as a sudden gush, or a scanty, slow seeping of amniotic fluid from the vagina.

It is important to remember that once membranes (BOW) have ruptured;

• Therefore labor is inevitable. Labor pains will set in within the next 24 hours.

• Since the integrity of the uterus has been destroyed, infection can easily set in. Thus, ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE should be observed in doing perineal care. Doctors do less of the IE and enema s no longer given.

• Check for any umbilical cord compression and or cord prolapsed especially in breech presentation)

o A woman seeking admission claims that her BOW has ruptured. FIRST NURSING ACTION: Put her to bed right away, then take the fetal heart tones. She should be allowed to remain in the standing position or sitting position because if its true that BOW has ruptured, the possibility of cord compression is high.

o If a woman in labor says that she feels a loop of the cord coming out of her vagina (cord prolapse), IMMEDIATE ACTION: Place her in trendelenberg position – to reduce pressure on the cord. REMEMBER: only 5 minutes of cord compression can already lead to CNS damage or even death

Apply a warm saline saturated OS on the cord to prevent crying of the cord.

•Color should be notedoNormal: clear, almost colorless and

contains white specks of vernix caseosa.

oAbnormal: green staining – amniotic fluid has

been contaminated with meconium which signifies fetal distress if the fetus is in a non-breech presentation

yellow staining – may mean blood incompatibility

Pink stain – may indicate bleeding

• If labor does not occur within the next 24 hours, the woman will have to be induced to go into labor by administering intravenous drip of oxytocin (Pitocin).

g. Show This is the blood-tinged mucus discharged from the vagina because of pressure of the descending fetal part on the cervical capillaries, causing their rupture. Capillary blood mixes with mucus when operculum is release that is why SHOW than a pinkish vaginal discharge.

 Show should be distinguished from bright red

vaginal bleeding because the later is a danger sign during this phase of pregnancy.

ONSET OF LABOR

 Labor normally begins when a fetus is sufficiently mature to cope with extrauterine life, yet not to large to cause mechanical difficulties with birth.

h. Onset of labor theories

Maternal Factor Theories Fetal Factor Theories

Uterine Stretch TheoryUterine muscles stretch to capacity, causing release of prostaglandinOxytocin stimulation TheoryPressure on the cervix stimulates nerve plexus, causing release of oxytocin by maternal posterior pituitary gland. This is known as Ferguson reflex.Prostaglandin TheoryOxytocin stimulation in circulating blood increases slowly during pregnancy rises dramatically during labor, peaks during second stage. Oxytocin and prostaglandin work together to inhibit calcium binding in muscle cells, raising intracellular calcium and thus activating contractions. Progesterone Deprivation TheoryEstrogen/progesterone ratio shift----estrogen excites the uterine response, and progesterone quiets the uterine response. A decrease of progesterone allows estrogen to stimulate the contractile response of the uterus

Theory of Aging PlacentaPlacental aging and deterioration triggers initiation of contraction.Fetal cortisol, produced by the fetal adrenal glands, rises and acts on the placental to reduce progesterone formation and increase prostaglandin.Prostaglandin produced by fetal membranes (amnion and chorion) and the deciduas stimulates contractions. When arachidonic acid stored in fetal membranes is released at term, it is converted to prostaglandin.

False Labor Pains True Labor Pains

Remain irregular

Generally confined to the abdomen.

No increased in duration, frequency and intensity

Often disappear if the woman ambulates

Absent cervical changes

May be slightly irregular at first but become regular and predictable within a matter of hours

First felt in the lower back and sweep around to the abdomen in girdle-like fashion

Increase in duration, frequency and intensity

Continue no matter what the woman’s level of activity

Accompanied by cervical effacement and dilatation

4. Stages of Labora. First stage ( Stage of

Dilatation) begins with the onset of regular contractions which cause progressive cervical dilation and effacement. It ends when the cervix is completely effaced and dilated.

1. Latent phase - 1-4 cm2. Active phase - 4-7 cm3. Transitional phase - 7-10 cm

Power/Forces at work: involuntary uterine contracts

PHASESI. Latent phase – early time in labor

•Regular contraction

•Cervical dilation – 1 to 4 cm

•Intensity: mild to moderate

•Uterine contractions occur Q15-30 minutes and are 15-30 seconds in duration and of mild intensity

•Mother is talkative and eager to be in labor

II. Active Phase –

•Cervical dilation 4-7 cm

•Uterine contractions occur Q3-5 minutes and are 30-60 seconds in duration

•Contraction: moderate to strong, frequent, longer more painful

•Mother may experience feeling of helplessness and becomes restless and anxious as contractions intensifies

•Woman fears losing control of herself

III. Transitional Phase

•Cervical dilation 8-10 cm

•Uterine contractions occur every 2-3 minutes and are 45-90 seconds in duration and of strong intensity

•Mother becomes tired, is restless and irritable and feels out of control

•Mood change

•AMNIOTOMY (if not yet ruptured)

•Gaping (bulging) of vagina or anus or perineum

AMNIOTOMY is not done if the station is still negative because this can lead to cord compression

i. Contractions are severe at 2-3 minute intervals, with a duration of 50-90 seconds

ii. Cervical dilation is completeiii. Progress of labor is measured by descent of

fetal head thru the birth canal (change in fetal station)

iv. Uterine contractions occur every 2-3 minutes, lasting 60-75 seconds, and the intensity is strong.

v. Increase in bloody showvi. Mother feels the urge to bear down

 The newborn exits the birth canal with the help from the following cardinal movements, or mechanisms of labor (D FIRE ERE)

DESCENT- fetus goes down the birth canal (preceded by engagement)

FLEXION- pressure on the pelvic floor causes the fetal chin to bind towards the chest

INTERNAL ROTATION – from antero-postero to transverse then AP to AP

EXTENTION – as the head comes out, the back of the neck stops beneath the pubic arch. The head extends and the forehead, nose, mouth and chin appear

EXTERNAL ROTATION (also known as restitution) – anterior shoulder rotates externally to the AP position so that it is just behind the symphysis pubis

EXPULSION – the delivery of the rest of the body

EpisiotomyPrevent prolonged & severe stretching of the

muscles

Natural anesthesia (synchronized with pushing of the woman)

Done to facilitate delivery and avoid laceration of the perineum

Reduce duration of second stage

Enlarge outlet in breech presentations or forcep delivery

 TYPES OF EPISIOTOMY

• Median

• Mediolateral

Application of Ritgen’s Maneuver is the best method for delivery As soon as crowning is taking phase, cover anus with sterile towel to exert.

c. Third Stage (Placental Expulsion) - Begins with the delivery of the baby and ends with the delivery of the placenta.

• Placental separation and expulsion occur

• Placental birth occur 5-30 minutes after birth of baby.

Placental Separation(Mechanisms) SCHULTZE MECHANISM: center portion of

placenta separates first and its shiny fetal surface emerges from the vagina. SHINY AND GLISTENING

DUNCAN MECHANISM: margin of placenta separates, and the dull, red, rough maternal surface emerges from the vagina. DIRTY, RAW, RED AND IRREGULAR WITH THE RIDGES OR COTYLEDONS

Signs of Placental Separation

• uterus becoming globular (calkin’s sign)

• Fundus rising in abdomen

• gushing of blood

• Lengthening of the cord Contractions of the uterus controls uterine

bleeding and aids with placental separations and delivery.

 Generally, oxytocic drugs (oxytocin 10-20

units) are administered to help the uterus contract (after placenta out)

METHERGINE

PROMOTES UTERINE CONTACTION AND PREVENTS POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE

PRODUCE STRONG AND EFFECTIVE CONTRACTION

ASSESS VITAL SIGNS (BP) DO NOT ADIMINISTER IF BP IS 140/90 mmHg LEADS TO HYPERTENSION DISCONTINUE: MARKED VASOCONSTRICTION

(COLDNESS, PALENESS, NUMBNESS OF THE FEET AND HAND); NOTIFY THE PHYSICIAN

OXYTOCIN

• INCREASES UTERINE CONTRACTION

• MINIMIZED UTERINE BLEEDING

• INCREASES BLOOD PRESSURE (VASOCONSTRICTION)

d. Fourth Stage ( Recovery and Bonding)- From the delivery of the placenta until the postpartum condition of the woman has become stabilized (usually after 1 hour after delivery).

- the period of time from 1-4 hours after delivery

- the mother and newborn recover from the physical process of birht

- The maternal organs undergo initial readjustment

- to the nonpregnangt state

- The newborn baby systems begins to adjust to extrauterine life and stabilize

Monitoring the Blood PressureBlood Pressure should not be taken during a

contraction as it tends to INCREASE, because no blood supply goes to the placenta during contraction. All the blood is in the periphery, which explains the increased BP during contraction

 BP taking should be taken at least every half

hour during active laborWhenever a woman complains of a HEADACHE, remove the blood pressure apparatus from the arm right away (priority intervention)

5. Managing DiscomfortsA. During Labor

1. Physical Assessment. General physical examination, Leopold’s maneuvers and/or internal examination are done.2. Bath. Bath is advisable if contractions are still tolerable or are not too close to one another. Bathing will not only ensure cleanliness but will also provide comfort and relaxation.3. Perineal Preparation. Perineal flushing is done to prevent contamination of the birth canal and reduce possibilities of postpartum infection.

4. Ambulation. Unless contraindicated (by medications, intravenous infusion or ruptured membranes), ambulation is advised during the latent phase of labor in order to help shorten the first stage of labor.

5. Diet. Solid or liquid foods are avoided for the following reasons:a. Digestion is delayed during labor.b. A full stomach interferes with proper

bearing down.c. Aspiration may occur during the reflex

nausea and vomiting of the transition phase or when anesthesia is used.

6. Enema Administration. Enema is not a routine procedure for all women in labor but may be done for the following reasons:

a. A full bowel hinders labor progress; enema increases the space available for passage of the fetus and improves frequency and intensity of uterine contractions.

b. Enema decreases the possibility of fetal contamination of the perineum during the second stage of labor.

c. A full bowel can add to the discomfort of the immediate postpartum period.

Contraindications of enema:a. Vaginal bleedingb. Premature laborc. Abnormal fetal presentation or positiond. Ruptured membranese. Crowning

7. Voiding. The woman in labor should be encouraged to empty her bladder every 2-3 hours because:

a. full bladder retards fetal descent.b. urinary stasis can lead to urinary tract infection.c. a full bowel may be traumatized during delivery.8. Breathing Technique. The woman in the 1st

stage of labor should be instructed not to push or bear down during contractions because it will not only lead to maternal exhaustion but, more importantly, unnecessary bearing down can lead to cervical edema bacause of the excessive pounding of the fetal presenting part of the pelvic floor, thus interfering with labor progress. To minimize bearing down, the patient should be advised to do abdominal breathing during contractions.

9. Position. Encourage the woman in labor to assume Sim’s position because:

a. It favors anterior rotation of the head.b. It promotes relaxation between

contractions.c. It prevents Supine Hypotensive Syndrome.

The inferior vena cava, the blood vessel which carries unoxygenated blood back to the heart, lies just above the spinal column. When a pregnant woman lies flat on her back, the inferior vena cava is caught between the gravid uterus and the spinal column, causing a drop in arterial blood pressure, which leads the woman to complain of dizziness.

10. Contractions. Uterine contractions are monitored every hour during the latent phase of labor and every 30 minutes during the active phase by spreading the fingers lightly over the fundus.

 11. Vital Signs. Blood Pressure (BP) and Fetal

Heart Rate (FHR) are taken every hour during the latent phase and every 30 minutes during the active phase. Definitely, BP and FHR should never be taken during a contraction.

During uterine contractions, no blood goes to the placenta. The blood is pooled to the peripheral blood vessels which results in increased BP. Therefore, the blood pressure should be taken in between contractions and whenever the mother in labor complains of a headache.

12. Danger Signals. The nurse must be aware of the following danger signals during labor and delivery.

a. Signs of fetal distress1. Tachycardia (FHR more than

180)Bradycardia (FHR less than 100)2. Meconium-stained amniotic fluid in non-

breech presentation3. Fetal thrashing or hyperactivity due to

fetal struggling for more oxygen

b. Signs of maternal distress1. BP over 140/90, or a falling BP associated

with clinical signs of shock (pallor, restlessness or apprehension, increased respiratory and pulse rates)

2. Bright red vaginal bleeding or hemorrhage(blood loss of more than 500 cc)

 3. Abnormal abdominal contour (may be due

to uterine rupture or Bandl’s pathological ring, a condition wherein the muscles at the physiological retraction ring become very tense, gripping the fetus causing possible fetal distress)

13. Administration of Analgesics. Narcotics are the most commonly used analgesics, specifically Demerol (meperidine hydrochloride). Demerol acts to suppress the sensory portion of the cerebral cortex. A dose of 25-100 mg is given and it takes effect within 20 min when the patient experiences a sense of well being and euphoria. Demerol, being also an antispasmodic, should not be given very early in labor because it will retard labor progress.

 It should not also be given when delivery is

less than an hour away because it can cause respiratory depression in the newborn.

It is , therefore, preferably given when cervical dilatation is around 5-8 cm.

14. Administration of Anesthetics. Regional anesthesia is preferred over any other form because it does not enter the maternal circulation and therefore does not retard labor contractions nor cause respiratory depression in the newborn.

15. Transfer of Patients. A sure sign that the baby is about to be born is the bulging of the perineum. In general, multiparas are transported to the delivery room when cervical dilatation is about 7-9 cm, while primiparas are transferred to the delivery room at full dilatation with perineal bulging when crowning is taking place.

B. During Delivery1. Positioning on the Delivery Table. When

positioning the woman on lithotomy on the delivery table, the legs should be put up slowly at the same time on the stirrups in order to prevent trauma to the uterine ligaments and backaches or leg cramps. The same should be done when putting the legs down from the stirrups after delivery.

 2. Bearing Down Technique. At the beginning of a contraction, the woman is asked to take two short breaths, then to hold her breath and bear down at the peak of contraction. She should also be told to use blow-blow breathing pattern to prevent pushing between contractions.

3. Care of the Episiotomy Wound. Episiotomy, a perineal incision done to facilitate the birth of the baby, is made by the doctor primarily to prevent lacerations. No anesthesia is necessary during episiotomy b/c the pressure of the fetal presenting part against the perineum is so intense that the nerve endings for pain are momentarily deadened (natural anesthesia).

 4. Breathing Technique. As soon as the

head crowns, the woman is instructed not to push any longer because it can cause rapid expulsion of the fetus. Instead, she should be advised to pant (rapid and shallow breathing).

5. Ritgen’s Maneuver.a. Support the perineum during crowning by

applying pressure with the palm against the rectum. This will not only prevent lacerations of the fourchette but will also bring the fetal chin down the chest so that the smallest diameter of the fetal head is the one presented at the birth canal.

b. In order to prevent rapid expulsion of the fetus which could result not only in lacerations, abruptio placenta, and uterine inversion but also to shock because of sudden decrease in intraabdominal pressure, the head should be pressed gently while it slowly eases out.

6.Time of Delivery. Take note of the time the baby is delivered.

7. Handling of the Newborn. Immediately after delivery, the newborn should be held below the level of the mother’s vulva so that blood from the placenta can enter the infant’s body on the basis of gravity flow.

• The newborn should be held with his head in a dependent position to allow drainage of secretions.

• A newborn is never stimulated to cry unless he has been drained of his secretions because he can aspirate these secretions into his lungs.

• The newborn should be immediately wrapped in a clean diaper to keep him warm because chilling increases the body’s need for oxygen.

• He should then be placed on his mother’s abdomen so that the weight of the baby can help contract the uterus; a noncontracted uterus can lead to death due to hemorrhage

 

8. Cutting of the cord. Cutting of the cord is postponed until pulsations have stopped because it is believed that 50-100 ml of blood is flowing from the placenta to the newborn at this time. It is then clamped twice, an inch apart, and cut in between.

 9. Initial Contact. Maternal-infant bonding

is initiated as soon as the mother has eye-to-eye contact with her baby. The mother is informed of her baby’s sex and helped to hold and inspect her baby if she wishes.

Nursing Diagnosis 

• Fear r/t uncertainty about the outcome of the birth process

• Acute Pain r/t uterine contraction, cervical dilatation and fetal descent

• Health seeking behaviors: Information about the fetal monitor r/t an expressed desire to understand equipment used

• Readiness for enhanced family processes r/t opportunity to incorporate newborn into the family

Fetal Heart MonitoringGoal: to detect signs that identifies fetal distress in its early stages

PARAMETERS INTERPRETATION

Baseline heart rate 120-160 bpm Normal

Tachycardia Moderate Marked Bradycardia Moderate Marked

161-180 bpm>180 bpm100-119 bpm<100 bpm

NonreassuringAbnormal Non reassuringAbnormal

Acceleration >15 bpm for >15 sec StimulationMaternal fever

Deceleration Early Late Variable

10-40 bpm50-60 bpm10-60 bpm

Head compressionHypoxia/acidosisCord compressionNon reassuring

Severe bradycardia- FHR less than 80 bpm Persistent severe bradycardia- severe

bradycardia that persists for longer than 5 minutes

 Accelerations

• FHR increases than 15 bpm for more than 15 seconds

• Appear as smooth patterns on electronic fetal monitoring

• Good indicators of fetal well-being

• Triggered in the normal mature fetus by fetal body motions, sounds stimulations of the fetal scalp and other stimuli

Early decelerations

• Normal and common

• Deceleration pattern matches the contraction with the most deceleration occurring at the peak of the contraction

• FHR rarely goes below 100 bpm

• Cause: head compression during uterine contraction

Late decelerations

• Decrease in FHR from the baseline rate with a lag time of greater than 20 seconds from the peak of contraction

• First appear at or after the peak of the uterine contractions. The FHR improves only after the contraction has stopped.

• May be mild or severe based on how low the FHR goes and how long it takes for the FHR to recover

• Caused by reduced blood flow to the uterus and placenta during contraction

• Associated with uteroplacental insufficiency and is a consequence of hypoxia and metabolic abnormalities

Variable deceleration

• Common type of FHR deceleration in labor

• Cause by umbilical cord compression

• Significance depends on how low the heart rate drops and how long the episode lasts

• Classified severe if they last more than 60 seconds or to a FHR of less than 90 bpm.

Interventions for late or variable decelerations lasting more than 60 seconds:

1. Reposition the patient2. Administer oxygen by face mask3. Discontinue oxytocin’4. IV fluids to increase maternal volume5. Notify physician6. Vaginal exam to check for prolapsed

of cord7. Prepare for emergency caesarean

section

TYPES OF CHILDBIRTH:

1. Vaginal delivery

• A natural process that usually does not require significant medical intervention

• NSVD- normal spontaneous vaginal delivery

• Forceps delivery- vaginal delivery with the use of obstetric forcep (an instrument designed to extract the baby’s head)

o Indications:

• Uterine inertia or poor uterine contraction and the second stage has gone pass two hours

• Face presentation; OA in flat pelvis, OP position

• Relative CPD

• Cardiac and pulmonary disorders of the mother, maternal exhaustion

• Late deceleration pattern, excessive fetal movement, meconium stained in cephalic presentation

2. Leboyer method• Postulated that moving from a warm, fluid-filled

intrauterine environment to noisy air filled, brightly lit birth room creates a major shock for newborn

• He proposed that birthing room should be darkened, kept pleasantly warm, soft music is played, infant is gently handled, cord is cut late and placed immediately into a warm water bath

• Advantage: ideal for most birthing institution

• Disadvantage: o warm bath could reduce spontaneous

respiration and high level of acidosis; o late cutting of the cord causes excess blood

viscosity in newborn

3. Hydrotherapy and Water Birth

• Baby is born underwater and immediately brought to the surface for a first breath

• Advantage: reduce discomfort in labor

• Disadvantage:o Contamination of bath water with feces

expelledo Aspiration of bath water by fetus:

pneumoniao Maternal chillingo Uterine infections- pushing efforts in 2nd

stage of labor

4. Caesarean birth • Latin word “caedore” means to cut

• Birth accomplished through abdominal incision into the uterus, after 28 weeks AOG

• Emergency procedure (under general anesthesia) or elective procedure (under spinal)

• Indications :

oCPD

oPlacenta previa

oAbruption placenta

oMalpresentation or malposition

oPreeclampsia/eclapmsia

oFetal distress

oCord prolapsed

oPrevious CS

oCervical dystocia

oCancer of the cervix

oOther factors: poor obstetrical history, vaginoplasty, vesico-vaginal fistula

• Complications

oUterine rupture in subsequent pregnancy

oPostop infection

oInjury to urinary system

oInjury to uterine vessels

oEmbolism

•Types:

o Classic caesarean section Incision made vertically through the

abdominal skin and uterus Advantage: incision is made high on

the uterus to avoid cutting the placenta and be used with placenta previa

Disadvantage:

• Leaves a wide skin scar

• Scar could rupture during labor and not be able to have a subsequent vaginal birth

o Low segment incision

Lower segment transverse caesarean section (LSTCS)

Made horizontally across the abdomen over the cervix

Referred to as pfannesteil incision or bikini incision

Advantage:

•Less likely to rupture in subsequent labours

•Less blood loss- easier to suture

•Decrease postpartal infections

•Less possibility of GI complications

Disadvantage:

•Longer procedure

•No assurance for small skin incision and small uterine incision