lOMoARcPSD|5734770
Maternal Newborn Delivery Nurse Notes
adult and family (University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences)
, Maternal Newborn
lOMoARcPSD|5734770
Labor & Delivery
Physiological changes
that precede labor True vs. False Labor
Backache True Labor: Contractions that may start
Weight loss (1-3 pounds) irregularly, but become stronger, more
Lightening (feeling that baby frequent, and regular. Walking increases
has dropped lower in pelvis. intensity of contractions. Comfort measures
Contractions (irregular
Braxton Hicks contractions
(oral hydration, bladder emptying) do not
that become stronger and
stop contractions. Cervical changes present
more regular) (dilation, effacement, blood show).
Bloody show (brown or bloody Presenting part of fetus engaged in pelvis.
mucus discharge)
False Labor: Painless, irregular, intermittent
Energy burst
GI upset
contractions. Walking or position changes
Rupture of membranes (clear,
decrease intensity/duration of contractions.
water fluid; Amniotic fluid will Comfort measures (oral hydration, bladder
cause Nitrazine paper to emptying) often stop contractions. No
turn BLUE, paper remains yellow cervical changes. Presenting part of fetus
with not engaged in pelvis.
urine)
Stages of Labor
FIRST STAGE: begins with onset of
labor, ends with complete Second Stage: Full dilation to birth of
dilation. baby.
Latent phase: Cervix 0-3cm; mild
to moderate contractions; mom is Third stage: Delivery of baby to
talkative and eager. delivery of placenta.
Active phase: Cervix 4-7cm; Fourth stage: Delivery of placenta to
moderate to strong contractions;
stabilization of maternal vital signs.
mom is anxious, restless, feeling
helpless.
Transition: Cervix 8-10cm; strong
to very strong contractions; mom
feels need to push or have a bowel
movement (i.e. rectal pressure),
feels like she “cannot continue”.
Maternal Newborn Delivery Nurse Notes
adult and family (University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences)
, Maternal Newborn
lOMoARcPSD|5734770
Labor & Delivery
Physiological changes
that precede labor True vs. False Labor
Backache True Labor: Contractions that may start
Weight loss (1-3 pounds) irregularly, but become stronger, more
Lightening (feeling that baby frequent, and regular. Walking increases
has dropped lower in pelvis. intensity of contractions. Comfort measures
Contractions (irregular
Braxton Hicks contractions
(oral hydration, bladder emptying) do not
that become stronger and
stop contractions. Cervical changes present
more regular) (dilation, effacement, blood show).
Bloody show (brown or bloody Presenting part of fetus engaged in pelvis.
mucus discharge)
False Labor: Painless, irregular, intermittent
Energy burst
GI upset
contractions. Walking or position changes
Rupture of membranes (clear,
decrease intensity/duration of contractions.
water fluid; Amniotic fluid will Comfort measures (oral hydration, bladder
cause Nitrazine paper to emptying) often stop contractions. No
turn BLUE, paper remains yellow cervical changes. Presenting part of fetus
with not engaged in pelvis.
urine)
Stages of Labor
FIRST STAGE: begins with onset of
labor, ends with complete Second Stage: Full dilation to birth of
dilation. baby.
Latent phase: Cervix 0-3cm; mild
to moderate contractions; mom is Third stage: Delivery of baby to
talkative and eager. delivery of placenta.
Active phase: Cervix 4-7cm; Fourth stage: Delivery of placenta to
moderate to strong contractions;
stabilization of maternal vital signs.
mom is anxious, restless, feeling
helpless.
Transition: Cervix 8-10cm; strong
to very strong contractions; mom
feels need to push or have a bowel
movement (i.e. rectal pressure),
feels like she “cannot continue”.
