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Mechanism of Labor

The document describes the stages of labor and delivery of a fetus. It involves engagement of the fetal head into the pelvis, descent and flexion of the head through the birth canal, internal rotation so the head is positioned transverse, extension and crowning of the head, external rotation and restitution of the shoulders, and finally lateral flexion and expulsion of the baby.

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gerold m chua
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379 views2 pages

Mechanism of Labor

The document describes the stages of labor and delivery of a fetus. It involves engagement of the fetal head into the pelvis, descent and flexion of the head through the birth canal, internal rotation so the head is positioned transverse, extension and crowning of the head, external rotation and restitution of the shoulders, and finally lateral flexion and expulsion of the baby.

Uploaded by

gerold m chua
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Labor

Process by which regular painful contractions bring about effacement and dilation of the
cervix and descent of the presenting part, ultimately leading to expulsion of the fetus
and the placenta from the mother.

Mechanism of labor

the series of changes in position and attitude which the fetus undergoes during its
passage through the birth canal

Series of
change
during labor

Engagement Engagement is descent of the


biparietal diameter of the fetal head
below the plane of the pelvic inlet.

Descent When the uterus contract it pushes


the baby down the birth canal (the
fetal head descend through the pelvic
brim to the midcavity)

Flexion the chin of the fetus touches his chest


enabling the smallest diameter
(suboccipitobregmatic) to be
presented to the pelvis for delivery
Internal When the head reach the level of the
Rotation ischial spine, it rotates from transverse
diameter to AP diameter so that its
largest diameter is presented to the
largest diameter of the outlet. This
movement allows the head to pass
through the outlet.
Crowning The well flexed head now extends and
(Extension) the occiput escapes from underneath
the symphysis pubis and distends the
vulva.

This is known as crowning of the


head.

Further extension occurs and the


occiput underneath the symphysis
pubis acts as fulcrum point as the
bregma, face and chin appear in
succession over the post vaginal
opening and perineal body resulting in
minimizing soft tissue trauma.

Restitution When the head comes out, the


(External shoulder which enters the pelvis in
Rotation) transverse position turns to
anteroposterior position for it become
in line with the anteroposterior
diameter of the outlet & pass through
the pelvis

Expulsion Shoulders will be in the anterior-


(Lateral posterior position.
Flexion)
Anterior shoulder is under symphysis
pubis. delivers first and subsequently
posterior shoulder.

aided by lateral movement:


the rest of the body is born by lateral
flexion with arms folded on the chest
and hands under the chin.

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