Normal Labour
Normal Labour
APRIL 2005
CONTENTS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Definition of normal labour Factors influencing progress of labour Diagnosis of labour Stages of labour Mechanisms of labour Management of labour
APRIL 2005
NORMAL LABOUR
DEFINITIONS
Labour is defined as the onset of regular painful contractions with progressive cervical effacement and dilatation of the cervix accompanied by descent of the presenting part.
NORMAL LABOUR
The following criteria should be present to call it normal labour Spontaneous expulsion, of a single, mature fetus (37 completed weeks 42 weeks), presented by vertex, through the birth canal (i.e. vaginal delivery), within a reasonable time (not less than 3 hours or more than 18 hours), without complications to the mother, or the fetus
APRIL 2005
NORMAL LABOUR
IMPORTANCE
DEPARTMENT OF OBST & GYNAE RCMP
Understanding the process of labour is importance problems can be identified correctly managed
Passenger
Passage
2. The obstetric pelvis is divided into false and true pelvis by the pelvic brim or inlet
3. The true pelvis is important, for it is through this confined space that the fetus must pass on its journey through the birth canal. 4. The true pelvis is composed of inlet, cavity and outlet. Cavity Outlet 5. Types of female pelvis gynaecoid, anthropoid, android and platypelloid
Inlet
BRIM
11 11.5
12
12.5
CAVITY 12
12
12
OUTLET 12.5
12
11- 11.5
1. Sutures 2. Diameters
2.
Coronal sutures: - The suture uniting the parietal bones to the frontal bones is called the coronal suture. Its extend transversely from the anterior fontanels and lies between the parietal and frontal bone.
Frontal suture: - The frontal suture is between the two frontal bones. It is an anterior continuation of the sagittal suture. Lambdoidal suture: - Is between the parietal and occiptal bones.
3.
4.
MOULDING is the ability of the fetal head to change its shape and so to adapt itself to the unyielding maternal pelvis during the progress of labour. This property is of the greatest value in the progress of labour.
F C
1. Initiate by pacemakers ~ uterotubal junction 2. Contraction waves meet at the fundus 3. Contraction waves progress downward
Shortening of muscle fibres Retractions intra uterine pressure
Additional force
maternal pushing
UTERINE CONTRACTION
Uterine contractions
NORMAL CONTRACTION
1. 2. 3. Frequency ~ one in every 2 3 min with at least 1 minute interval Intensity ~ strong (> 50 mmHg) Duration ~ 45 60 sec
NORMAL LABOUR
Causes of Onset of Labour:
- It is unknown but the following theories were postulated:
Hormonal factors
1) Estrogen theory 2) Progesterone withdrawal theory 3) Prostaglandins theory 4) Oxytocin theory 5) Fetal cortisol theory
Mechanical factors
1) Uterine distension theory 2) Stretch of the lower uterine segment by the presenting near term
DIAGNOSIS OF LABOUR
Painful regular uterine contractions as evidence by contraction at least one in ten minutes Show as evidence by mucus mixed with blood Rupture of membranes as evidence by leaking liquor
STAGES OF LABOUR
Labour can be divided into three stages, which are unequal in length.
FIRST STAGE
It begins with the onset of true labour contractions and ends when the cervix is fully dilated (10 cm). Cervical effacement and dilatation occur in the first stage
SECOND STAGE
The second stage of labour begins with complete dilatation of the cervix and ends with the birth of the baby. The duration is about 1 to 1 hours in nulliparas and about 30 to 45 minutes in parous women.
THIRD STAGE
The third stage is that of separation and expulsion of placenta and membranes and also involves the control of bleeding. It begins after the birth of the baby and ends with the expulsion of the placenta and membranes. This is the shortest stage, lasting up to 30 minutes, with an average length of 5 to 10 minutes. There is no difference in duration for nulliparous and parous.
First stage of labour consists of two phases:- latent and active. The first stage of labour is the longest for both nulliparous and parous women.
APRIL 2005
ACTIVE Phase
1. 2.
Begins with onset of contractions Slow progress Little cervical dilatation Progressive cervical effacement Ends once the cervix reaches 3 cm dilatation Durations ~ 8 hours for nulliparae ~ 6 hours for multiparae
3.
4. 5.
Active process Begins after 3 cm of cervical dilatation Period of active cervical dilatation (average rate 1 cm/hr) S-shaped curve which is used to define progress of labour It has 3 component a) acceleration - slow b) maximum - fast c) deceleration - slow
The three primary mechanisms by which uterine contractions can cause a decrease in fetal heart rate are compression of: Fetal head Umbilical cord Uterine myometrial vessels
Findings suggestive of unsatisfactory progress in first stage of labour are: - irregular and infrequent contractions after the latent phase; - OR rate of cervical dilatation slower than 1 cm per hour during the active phase of labour (cervical dilatation to the right of alert line);
APRIL 2005
Findings suggestive of satisfactory progress in second stage of labour are: - steady descent of fetus through birth canal; - onset of expulsive (pushing) phase. Findings suggestive of unsatisfactory progress in second stage of labour are: - lack of descent of fetus through birth canal; - failure of expulsion during the late (expulsive) phase.
APRIL 2005
SECOND STAGE
1. 2.
THIRD STAGE
1.
Minimal effects
ON THE MOTHER
3.
Pulse increases Systolic BP slightly increased due to pain and anxiety Minor injuries to the birth canal
2.
Blood loss from the placental site (200 ml) Blood loss from laceration and perineum (100 ml)
ON THE FETUS
1. 2.
Moulding overlapping of the vault bones Caput succedaneum it is a soft swelling of the most dependent part of the fetal head
MANAGEMENT OF LABOUR
To achieve delivery of a normal healthy child To anticipate, recognize and treat potential abnormal conditions before significant hazard develops for the mother or the fetus.
Bladder care
A full bladder may initially prevent the fetal head from entering the pelvic brim and later impede descent of the fetal head. It will also inhibit effective uterine action.
The woman should be encouraged to empty her bladder every 1 - 2 hours during labour. The quantity of urine passed should be measured and recorded and a specimen obtained for testing.
Pain relief
When the pains are severe an analgesic preparation may be given. a) Opiate drugs e.g. Pethidine given intramuscularly every 4 hour b) Inhalational analgesia e.g. Entonox c) Epidural analagesia
STAGES OF LABOUR
SORCES OF PAIN Pain is caused mainly by uterine contractions, thinning of the lower segment of the uterus, and dilatation of the cervix. Pain result from two sources: 1.The stretching of the vagina, vulva and perineum. 2.The contraction of the myometrium. Pain is caused by the passage of the placenta through the cervix, plus that produced by the uterine contractions.
FIRST STAGE
SECOND STAGE
THIRD STAGE
The three primary mechanisms by which uterine contractions can cause a decrease in fetal heart rate are compression of: Fetal head Umbilical cord Uterine myometrial vessels
ABNORMAL
NORMAL
APRIL 2005
MEDICATIONS
Amniotic fluid: Record the colour of amniotic fluid at every vaginal examination: I: membranes intact; C: membranes ruptured, clear fluid; M: meconium-stained fluid; B: blood-stained fluid.
Moulding: 1: sutures apposed; 2: sutures overlapped but reducible; 3: sutures overlapped and not reducible.
Bearing down
With each contraction, the mother should be encouraged to bear down with expulsive efforts
3. Uterine contractions - The strength, length and frequency of contractions should be assessed continuously.
4. The progress of descent - The progress should be recorded approximately every 30 minutes during the second stage.
DELIVERY OF THE HEAD 1) Control the delivery of the head to prevent laceration 2) Performed episiotomy if requires 3) Performed Ritgens method 4) Cleared the airway after delivery of the had
Episiotomy Types
Midline episiotomy
Mediolateral episiotomy
J-shaped episiotomy
Wait until: 1) the perineum is thinned out; and 2) 34 cm of the babys head is visible during a contraction.
Occipital bone
Right
Left
Sacrum Posterior
The mechanism of labour refers to the sequencing of events related to posturing and positioning that allows the baby to find the easiest way out. For a normal mechanism of labour to occur, both the fetal and maternal factors must be harmonious.
NORMAL LABOUR AND DELIVERY MECHANISM OF LABOUR for occiput anterior (OA)
F I C E R I E L
Descend LOA LOT
Flexion
LOA
OA
Internal rotation
Crowning
OA
Delivery
After the placental separation takes place the placenta can be delivered by the: 1. Passive management wait for spontaneous expulsion of placenta 2. Active management
A) Placenta separation
EXAMINATION OF THE PERINEUM At the same time, the perineal region, vulva outlet, vaginal canal, and the cervix should be carefully examined for lacerations. If the perineum has been torn or an episiotomy made, tear or incision should be repaired immediately.
3. 4.
Continuous sutures
Interrupted sutures
APRIL 2005