Normal Labour & Puerperium

Oxytocin [blank_start]encourages[blank_end] uterine contractions Progesterone [blank_start]discourages[blank_end] uterine contractions Oestrogen [blank_start]encourages[blank_end] uterine contractions

Release of which hormone prompts the release of prostaglandins, thus initiating labour? [blank_start]Oxytocin[blank_end]

Which hormone specifically initiates and sustains contractions? [blank_start]Oxytocin[blank_end]

Another term for the amniotic fluid is the [blank_start]liquor[blank_end]

The release of Oxytocin in response to cervical stretching thus encouraging uterine contractions and childbirth is known as the [blank_start]Ferguson[blank_end] reflex

A woman stating that her water has broken is referring to the rupture of her [blank_start]amniotic[blank_end] sac

A woman stating that her "water has broken" or "membranes have ruptured" is referring to the rupture of her [blank_start]amniotic[blank_end] sac

If a baby is born 'in a caul', what does this mean?

What score is used to determine whether or not a medical induction of labour will be required? The [blank_start]Bishop[blank_end] Score

What type of labour is advised if a woman's Bishop score is high?

Induced labour is advised if a woman's Bishop score is [blank_start]low[blank_end]

There are [blank_start]3[blank_end] defined stages of labour

The first stage of labour is broken up into two sections: [blank_start]Latent phase[blank_end] = Mild, irregular uterine contractions, cervix shortens and softens, may last a few days [blank_start]Active phase[blank_end] = 4cm cervical dilation to full dilation (approx 10cm), contractions become more rhythmic and stronger

The phase of the first stage of labour whereby a woman progressively dilates her cervix from 4 to 10 centimetres is known as the [blank_start]active[blank_end] phase.

Second stage of Labour: [blank_start]Cervix 10cm dilated --> Baby delivery[blank_end] Third stage of Labour: [blank_start]Baby delivery --> Delivery of placenta[blank_end]

On average, labour lasts [blank_start]10 hours[blank_end]

Braxton-Hicks Contractions usually indicate the initiation of labour.

When considering the birth of a child from its mother's uterus, what are the three Ps? [blank_start]Power[blank_end] e.g. Contractions [blank_start]Passage[blank_end] e.g. Maternal Pelvis [blank_start]Passenger[blank_end] e.g. The foetus

In order to increase the power of a woman's contractions, which hormone could be given as a medication? Synthetic [blank_start]Oxytocin[blank_end]

At which stage of labour is the baby delivered?

During labour, contractions become [blank_start]more[blank_end] frequent and of a [blank_start]longer[blank_end] duration

A baby is normally delivered in which position?

A cephalic presentation is the normal type of presentation in labour

Arrange the analgesia options for birth from least to most effective [blank_start]Paracetamol/ Co-codamol[blank_end] [blank_start]TENS[blank_end] [blank_start]Entonox[blank_end] [blank_start]Diamorphine[blank_end] [blank_start]Epidural[blank_end] [blank_start]Remifentanil[blank_end] [blank_start]Combined spinal/epidural[blank_end] TENS = Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Entonox = Mixture of Oxygen+Nitrous Oxide

Arrange the 7 cardinal movements of labour from 1-7: 1…[blank_start]Engagement[blank_end] 2…[blank_start]Decent[blank_end] 3…[blank_start]Flexion[blank_end] 4…[blank_start]Internal Rotation[blank_end] 5…[blank_start]Crowning and extension[blank_end] 6…[blank_start]Restitution and external rotation[blank_end] 7…[blank_start]Expulsion (ant. shoulder first)[blank_end]

Engagement: The foetal head is said to be engaged when the widest diameter of the the foetal head has entered the pelvic inlet. This is also described as [blank_start]3 fifths[blank_end] of the fetal head having entered the pelvis and [blank_start]2 fifths[blank_end] still being felt abdominally

The umbilical cord should be clamped as soon as possible following birth.

Delayed cord clamping should be conducted following birth, with the cord being clamped at around [blank_start]3[blank_end] minutes

Skin-to-skin contact between mother and child is advised immediately following birth and for around 1 hour after in order to increase the oxytocin released by the mother which increases the likelihood of breastfeeding success.

Expulsion of the placenta usually occurs around [blank_start]5-10 minutes[blank_end] following delivery however is considered normal as long as it is delivered within [blank_start]30 minutes[blank_end]

Which two hormones are directly involved in the production and expulsion of breastmilk? Production - [blank_start]Prolactin[blank_end] Expulsion via musculature - [blank_start]Oxytocin[blank_end]

Normal blood loss during delivery is [blank_start]less than 500ml[blank_end]. Anything more than this is considered abnormal.

The period following childbirth whereby a woman's reproductive organs return to their normal state is known as the [blank_start]puerperium[blank_end]

The Puerperium typically lasts for around [blank_start]6 weeks[blank_end]

Bloodstained discharge is completely normal for around 14 days following birth and a mother should thus not worry about this.

The first breast milk produced by the mother is rich in immunoglobulins to provide the baby with secondary immunoprotection. This first breast milk is known as the [blank_start]Colostrum[blank_end]