Outline About Labor Process
LABOR PROCESS
Labor- series of physiological and mechanical process by which all products and conception are expelled from the birth canal.
-is the series of events by which the uterine contractions and abdominal pressure expel a fetus and placenta from a woman’s body. Regular contractions cause progressive dilatation (enlargement or widening of the cervical canal) and create sufficient muscular force to allow a baby tobe pushed from the birth canal (or vagina).
Preliminary Signs of labor
1. Lightening
- the descent of the fetal presenting part into the pelvis.
-approximately occurs 10 – 14 days before labor begins.
Fetal Descent- changes a woman’s abdominal contour, because it positions the uterus lower and more anterior in the abdomen. * Primiparas – lightening occurs early because of tight abdominal muscles. * Multiparas – occurs 1 day before labor / on the day of labor / after labor has begun.
Signs of Lightening:
-relief of abdominal tightness.
-relief of dyspnea / shortness of breath.
-increased frequency of voiding.
- increased varicosities.
-shooting pain at the leg or leg cramps.
-decreased fundal height.
-increased amount of vaginal discharge.
2. Increased Level of Activity
Placenta
Decrease progesterone production
Increase Epinephrine release
Increased maternal changes
3. Braxton Hicks Contraction
- false labor contraction, painless, irregular abdominal contractions and or relieved by walking.
Difference between True and False labor Contractions False Contractions | True Contractions | -begin and remains irregular-felt first abdominally and remains confine to the abdomen and groin.-disappear with ambulation or sleep-do not increase in duration, frequency or intensity.-do not achieved cervical dilatation. | -begins irregularly-pattern is regular and predictable.-felt at lower back and sweep around the abdomen in a wave.-continue no matter what level of activity.-increased in duration, frequency and intensity. |
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Labor- series of physiological and mechanical process by which all products and conception are expelled from the birth canal.
-is the series of events by which the uterine contractions and abdominal pressure expel a fetus and placenta from a woman’s body. Regular contractions cause progressive dilatation (enlargement or widening of the cervical canal) and create sufficient muscular force to allow a baby tobe pushed from the birth canal (or vagina).
Preliminary Signs of labor
1. Lightening
- the descent of the fetal presenting part into the pelvis.
-approximately occurs 10 – 14 days before labor begins.
Fetal Descent- changes a woman’s abdominal contour, because it positions the uterus lower and more anterior in the abdomen. * Primiparas – lightening occurs early because of tight abdominal muscles. * Multiparas – occurs 1 day before labor / on the day of labor / after labor has begun.
Signs of Lightening:
-relief of abdominal tightness.
-relief of dyspnea / shortness of breath.
-increased frequency of voiding.
- increased varicosities.
-shooting pain at the leg or leg cramps.
-decreased fundal height.
-increased amount of vaginal discharge.
2. Increased Level of Activity
Placenta
Decrease progesterone production
Increase Epinephrine release
Increased maternal changes
3. Braxton Hicks Contraction
- false labor contraction, painless, irregular abdominal contractions and or relieved by walking.
Difference between True and False labor Contractions False Contractions | True Contractions | -begin and remains irregular-felt first abdominally and remains confine to the abdomen and groin.-disappear with ambulation or sleep-do not increase in duration, frequency or intensity.-do not achieved cervical dilatation. | -begins irregularly-pattern is regular and predictable.-felt at lower back and sweep around the abdomen in a wave.-continue no matter what level of activity.-increased in duration, frequency and intensity. |
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