Restores placental for fetal oxygenation and uterine

restores placental for fetal oxygenation and uterine vessel blood
circulation
 Frequency – time between the beginning of one contraction and the
beginning of the next
 Duration – measured from the beginning of the contraction to the
completion of the same contraction
 Intensity – the strength of the contraction during the acme (peak)
 Estimated by palpation or intrauterine catheter attached to EFM
o Psychosocial considerations
 Fear and anxiety may lead to increased perception of pain and impede
progress of labor
 Physiology of labor
o Usually begins between 38-42 weeks gestation
o Effacement – the taking up of the internal opening and cervical canal into the
uterine side walls
 The thinning of the cervix
o Cervical dilatation – uterine muscle pull upward, forcing the fetus downward
 The widening of the cervix from 1 cm to 10 cm
 Signs of labor
o Lightening – settling of the uterus and fetal presenting part into the pelvic inlet
(sensation of decreased abdominal distention)
o Braxton hicks – irregular contractions
o Cervical changes
 Effacement – thinning and shortening of the cervix during late pregnancy
and labor
 Dilation
o Bloody show – mucus plug being expelled
o ROM
 SROM – generally occurs at the height of an intense contraction
 PROM – before onset of labor at any gestational age
 PPROM – occurs before 37 weeks gestation
 AROM
o Sudden burst of energy
o Other
 Weight loss – resulting from fluid loss and electrolyte shifts
 Increased backache
 Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
 True labor
o Contractions occur at regular intervals
 Interval between contractions shorten

o Contractions increase in duration
o Back pain radiating to abdomen
o Intensity increases with walking
o Contractions do not decrease with rest
 False labor
o Irregular contractions
 No change in frequency
o No change in contraction duration
o Discomfort only in abdomen
o Walking eases intensity
o Resting eases contractions
 Stages of labor
o 1 st stage – onset of labor to dilation of 10 cm
 Latent – cervix begins to dilate to about 4 cm
 Regular contractions with increased frequency, duration, and
intensity
 Excitement is high
 Active – cervix dilates from 4 to 7 cm and descent of fetus is progressive
 Anxiety increasing
 Fear of losing control
 Use of coping mechanisms
 Transition – cervix dilates from 8 to 10 cm
 Mother is moody and may frequently change positions
 Increased rectal pressure, uncontrollable urge to push
 Fear of tearing/splitting open
o 2 nd stage – 10cm to birth
 Urge to push
 Perineum begins to bulge as fetal head descends
 Fetal head going in and out
 Burning sensation as crowning occurs
 Cardinal movements
 Positional changes of the fetal head and body in order to adjust to
the maternal pelvis and pass through the birth canal
o 3 rd stage – birth of infant to delivery of placenta
 Should take 30-40 minutes
