p.15
Risks and Complications in Labour
How does prolonged labor affect the fetus?
It decreases blood flow to the baby due to uterine contractions.
p.12
Cervical Ripening and Prostaglandins
What is cervical ripening?
The process that prepares the cervix for labor by softening and thinning it.
p.12
Mechanical Processes of Labour
What is uterine contractility?
The ability of the uterus to contract effectively during labor.
p.8
Cervical Changes During Labour
How do membranes affect the cervix during labor?
They cause pressure on the cervix and allow it to dilate.
What hormones are involved in the stimulation phase of active labour?
Prostaglandins, oxytocin, and relaxin.
p.6
Mechanical Processes of Labour
How do contractions progress in the uterus?
They start in the fundus and move down to push the baby down.
p.17
Mechanical Processes of Labour
How does the fetal head contribute to the process of labor?
The fetal head molds and rotates to navigate through the birth canal.
p.12
Mechanical Processes of Labour
What role does the uterus play during labor?
The uterus contracts to help push the baby through the birth canal.
p.12
Cervical Ripening and Prostaglandins
How do prostaglandins affect labor?
They help in cervical ripening and stimulate uterine contractions.
p.8
Fetal Role in Initiating Labour
What activates the fetal HPA axis?
The activation of the fetus precipitates the whole process of labor.
p.6
Hormonal Regulation in Labour
What effect does Prostaglandin F2 alpha have on the uterus?
It causes the uterus to contract.
p.16
Fetal Role in Initiating Labour
What are the variations of fetal head position?
They occur when the presenting part is cephalic.
p.2
Hormonal Regulation in Labour
What is the purpose of the stretch and sweep procedure in labor?
It releases prostaglandins and stimulates labor.
p.2
Hormonal Regulation in Labour
What change occurs in placental circulation during labor?
It becomes a low resistance system due to remodeling of uterine arteries.
p.6
Mechanical Processes of Labour
What do gap junctions in the uterus allow?
Coordinated contractions of the uterus.
p.16
Fetal Role in Initiating Labour
What happens when the baby is in a transverse position?
It sometimes will not come out.
p.18
Risks and Complications in Labour
Why are diabetic babies at risk for shoulder dystocia?
Because they are generally larger.
p.17
Mechanical Processes of Labour
What is the typical position of the fetal head at the onset of labor?
The fetal head is usually in a flexed position, facing the mother's back.
p.14
Risks and Complications in Labour
What condition occurs when the baby's head diameter is larger than the mother's pelvic diameter?
Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD).
p.6
Hormonal Regulation in Labour
What is the function of DHEAS in the placenta?
It is converted to estriol, a form of estrogen.
p.1
Hormonal Regulation in Labour
What role does the corpus luteum play in pregnancy?
It maintains pregnancy by producing hormones.
p.17
Mechanical Processes of Labour
What is the significance of the fetal head in labor?
The fetal head is the presenting part during delivery and plays a crucial role in the mechanics of labor.
p.14
Risks and Complications in Labour
What can cause inefficient labor?
Any abnormalities of the uterus.
p.2
Hormonal Regulation in Labour
What is the situation for administering prostaglandins in relation to pregnancy terminations?
Prostaglandins are given as in-patient for second trimester TOP and outpatient for first trimester TOP.
p.11
Risks and Complications in Labour
When does preterm prelabour rupture of membranes occur?
Before 37 weeks and before the onset of labour.
p.6
Fetal Role in Initiating Labour
What is the role of cortisol in fetal development?
It prepares fetal organs for extrauterine life, especially the lungs.
What happens to the uterus during the involution phase?
The uterus undergoes changes during the puerperium, facilitated by oxytocin.
p.15
Risks and Complications in Labour
Why are pauses during contractions necessary?
To allow for increased blood flow to the fetus.
p.2
Hormonal Regulation in Labour
When is the stretch and sweep procedure typically used?
For outpatients that may be post-term.
p.11
Immune Response During Labour
How do fetal membranes respond in the third trimester?
By secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines and activating PG-synthesizing enzymes due to mechanical stretching.
What is the first phase of parturition?
Quiescence, characterized by myometrium acontractility and maintained cervical integrity.
p.11
Risks and Complications in Labour
What factors can cause preterm prelabour rupture of membranes?
Polyhydramnios and multiple pregnancies, especially higher-order pregnancies.
p.6
Risks and Complications in Labour
What is considered postpartum hemorrhage?
More than 500 ml of blood loss post-birth.
p.13
Hormonal Regulation in Labour
What is the purpose of administering drugs during labor augmentation?
To coordinate the process of contraction.
p.11
Immune Response During Labour
What increases in secretion during labour?
Cytokines and chemokines by fetal membranes and uterine tissues.
What hormonal changes occur during the activation phase of parturition?
A relative increase in the oestrogen:progesterone ratio.
What defines preterm labour?
Labour occurring before 37 weeks of gestation.
p.13
Mechanical Processes of Labour
What does augmentation of labor refer to?
Enhancing labor that has started but isn’t progressing well.
p.11
Immune Response During Labour
What physiological state characterizes labour?
A state of physiological inflammation.
p.6
Fetal Role in Initiating Labour
What role does the fetus play in stimulating labor?
The fetus activates the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA).
p.8
Cervical Ripening and Prostaglandins
What does SROM stand for?
Spontaneous rupture of membranes.
p.6
Tocolysis and Labour Management
What treatment is given to preterm babies to aid lung development?
Synthetic corticosteroids.
p.15
Risks and Complications in Labour
What is fetal distress in the context of prolonged labor?
An abnormal drop in fetal heart rate.
p.2
Hormonal Regulation in Labour
When is oxytocin administered during labor?
When the patient is admitted.
p.11
Risks and Complications in Labour
What happens with encephalopathy in relation to labour?
There will be no activation of the HPA axis, leading to failure of normal labour to start.
p.8
Cervical Ripening and Prostaglandins
What is cervical ripening?
Softening, effacement, and shortening of the cervix.
p.2
Risks and Complications in Labour
What complication can arise if the placenta doesn't contract properly?
It predisposes to bleeding.
p.6
Risks and Complications in Labour
What condition do preterm babies face due to immature lungs?
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) due to lack of surfactant.
p.8
Cervical Changes During Labour
What role do membranes play for the fetus before labor?
They keep the fetus in a sterile environment.
p.1
Cervical Changes During Labour
What is the cervical condition during quiescence?
The cervix is posterior, firm, long, and closed.
p.13
Mechanical Processes of Labour
What is uterine contractility?
The ability of the uterus to contract during labor.
p.17
Mechanical Processes of Labour
What factors influence the position of the fetal head during labor?
Factors include the shape of the pelvis, the size of the fetal head, and uterine contractions.
p.14
Risks and Complications in Labour
What can lead to the premature opening of the cervix?
Previous surgery to the uterus, such as removal of parts of the cervix.
p.12
Cervical Changes During Labour
What is the significance of the cervix during labor?
It dilates to allow the passage of the baby during delivery.
What is tocolysis?
An obstetrical procedure to prolong gestation in patients experiencing preterm labour.
p.1
Cervical Ripening and Prostaglandins
What is cervical ripening and which substances are used?
Cervical ripening involves the use of prostaglandins to prepare the cervix for labour.
