6 Questions
What is the incidence of abnormal labour?
10-15% of all labours
What is the primary cause of prolonged labour?
Infective uterine contractions
What is the purpose of a partogram?
To graphically represent labour progress
What is the primary treatment for obstructed labour?
Cesarean section
What is the definition of precipitate labour?
Labour that progresses too quickly
What is the purpose of fetal monitoring during labour?
To monitor fetal heart rate and variability
Study Notes
Definition and Incidence
- Abnormal labour: a labour that deviates from the normal progress of labour, causing maternal or fetal compromise
- Incidence: 10-15% of all labours
Causes of Abnormal Labour
-
Prolonged labour: labour lasting > 24 hours in primigravida or > 18 hours in multigravida
- Causes: ineffective uterine contractions, CPD (cephalo-pelvic disproportion), fetal macrosomia
-
Arrest of labour: labour that stops progressing
- Causes: uterine inertia, fetal macrosomia, CPD
-
Precipitate labour: labour that progresses too quickly
- Causes: uterine overstimulation, fetal distress
-
Obstructed labour: labour that is obstructed by a physical barrier
- Causes: fetal macrosomia, CPD, placenta previa
Diagnosis of Abnormal Labour
- Partogram: a graphical representation of labour progress
- Fetal heart rate monitoring: monitoring of fetal heart rate and variability
- Uterine activity monitoring: monitoring of uterine contractions and frequency
Management of Abnormal Labour
- Augmentation of labour: administration of oxytocin to stimulate uterine contractions
- Cesarean section: surgical delivery if abnormal labour is causing maternal or fetal compromise
- Instrumental delivery: use of forceps or vacuum extractor to assist with delivery
- Fetal monitoring: continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate and variability
Abnormal Labour
- Abnormal labour is a labour that deviates from the normal progress of labour, causing maternal or fetal compromise, and occurs in 10-15% of all labours.
Types of Abnormal Labour
- Prolonged Labour: labour lasting > 24 hours in primigravida or > 18 hours in multigravida, caused by ineffective uterine contractions, CPD (cephalo-pelvic disproportion), or fetal macrosomia.
- Arrest of Labour: labour that stops progressing, caused by uterine inertia, fetal macrosomia, or CPD.
- Precipitate Labour: labour that progresses too quickly, caused by uterine overstimulation or fetal distress.
- Obstructed Labour: labour that is obstructed by a physical barrier, caused by fetal macrosomia, CPD, or placenta previa.
Diagnosis of Abnormal Labour
- Partogram: a graphical representation of labour progress used to diagnose abnormal labour.
- Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring: monitoring of fetal heart rate and variability used to diagnose abnormal labour.
- Uterine Activity Monitoring: monitoring of uterine contractions and frequency used to diagnose abnormal labour.
Management of Abnormal Labour
- Augmentation of Labour: administration of oxytocin to stimulate uterine contractions in abnormal labour.
- Cesarean Section: surgical delivery used if abnormal labour is causing maternal or fetal compromise.
- Instrumental Delivery: use of forceps or vacuum extractor to assist with delivery in abnormal labour.
- Fetal Monitoring: continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate and variability used to manage abnormal labour.
A quiz on abnormal labour, its incidence, and causes including prolonged labour and arrest of labour, affecting maternal and fetal health.
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