Labor and Delivery Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is parturition?

The process by which the fetus and the placenta are expelled from the uterus and the vagina into the external environment.

Which of the following terms refers to a woman in labor?

Dystocia

Toco

Eutocia

Parturient (correct)

Dystocia refers to normal labor.

False

What is the Uterine Stretch Theory?

It states that any hollow body organ when stretched to capacity will necessarily contract and empty due to pressure on nerve endings and increased irritability of the uterine musculature. Signup and view all the answers

What hormone is stimulated during labor according to the Oxytocin Stimulation Theory?

Oxytocin Signup and view all the answers

What does the Progesterone Deprivation Theory suggest?

A decrease in progesterone results in uterine contractions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the aging placenta according to the Theory of Aging Placenta?

The decrease of nutrients and blood supply in the aging placenta causes uterine contractions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following are factors affecting labor and delivery known as the 5 P's?

Passenger, Passageway, Power, Person, Placenta Signup and view all the answers

What is parturition also known as?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a parturient?

A woman in labor Signup and view all the answers

Eutocia refers to difficult labor.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the largest part of the fetal head?

Parietal Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the conversion of Braxton-Hicks contractions into strong labor contractions?

Unknown Signup and view all the answers

What does the Oxytocin Stimulation Theory suggest?

Labor is a stressful event Signup and view all the answers

What is the transverse diameter of the fetal head?

9.25 cm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the 5 P's affecting labor and delivery?

Personality Signup and view all the answers

What shape is the gynecoid pelvis?

Round shape Signup and view all the answers

The anterior fontanel closes around 12-18 months after birth.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Labor and Delivery

Known as parturition, childbirth, or birthing
Process of expelling the fetus and placenta from the uterus
Parturient is a woman in labor
Eutocia is normal labor
Dystocia is difficult labor

Theories on Why Labor Begins

Uterine Stretch Theory: When the uterus is stretched to capacity, it contracts and empties due to pressure on nerve endings and increased irritability of the uterine muscles.
Oxytocin Stimulation Theory: Labor is stressful, and the hypophysis stimulates the production of oxytocin, which induces uterine contractions.
Progesterone Deprivation Theory: Progesterone inhibits uterine motility, and a decrease in progesterone levels causes uterine contractions.
Prostaglandin Theory: A decrease in progesterone and increase in estrogen leads to the production of cortical steroids, which release arachidonic acid and increase prostaglandin synthesis.
Theory of Aging Placenta: A decrease in nutrients and blood supply in the aging placenta leads to uterine contractions.

Factors Affecting Labor and Delivery (5 Ps)

Passenger: The fetus, including size, shape, presentation, and position
Passageway: The pelvis, including size and shape
Power: Uterine contractions
Person (Psyche): Psychological state of the mother
Placenta: Function of the placenta

Fetal Head

Transverse Diameter
- Largest Transverse: Biparietal (9.25 cm)
- Smallest Transverse: Bimastoid (7 cm)
Sutures
- Sphenoid
- Frontal (Sinciput)
- Ethmoid
- Parietal (2)
Moldings: Allows overlapping of the sutures to permit passage through the birth canal

Labor Phenomena

Also known as parturition, childbirth or birthing
The process where the fetus and placenta are expelled from the uterus and the vagina
A parturient is a woman in labor
Eutocia: Normal labor
Dystocia: Difficult labor

The Fetal Head

The largest presenting part during labor
Approximately ¼ of its length
Comprised of 6 bones:
- Sphenoid
- Parietal (2)
- Frontal (sinciput)
- Temporal (2)
- Ethmoid
- Occipital (occiput)

Fetal Head Measurements

Transverse Diameter
- Biparietal: Largest transverse diameter at 9.25 cm
- Bimastoid: Smallest transverse diameter at 7 cm
SUTURES
- Intramembranous spaces allowing for molding of the fetal head
- Sagittal suture connects the 2 parietal bones
- Coronal suture connects the parietal & frontal bones
- Lambdoidal suture connects the occipital & parietal bones
MOLDINGS
- The overlapping of the sutures to allow for passage of the fetal head
Fontanels
- Anterior Fontanel: "Bregma," diamond shape, 3 x 4 cm
  - Greater than 5 cm can indicate hydrocephalus
  - Closes 12-18 months after birth
- Posterior Fontanel: "Lambda," triangular shape, 1 x 1 cm
  - Closes within 2-3 months
Anteroposterior Diameter
- Suboccipitobregmatic (9.5 cm) - Complete flexion, smallest AP diameter
- Occipitofrontal (12 cm) - Partial flexion
- Occipitomental (13.5 cm) - Hyperextension
- Submentobregmatic - Face presentation

Pelvic Outlet

Anteroposterior diameter: 13 cm measured from the lower border of the symphysis pubis to the acro-coccygeal point.
Transverse diameter: Between the 2 ischial spines.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of labor and delivery, also known as parturition. This quiz covers the definition, types of labor, and the theories explaining the onset of labor. Test your knowledge on the processes involved in childbirth and the physiological changes that trigger labor.