This NCLEX review will discuss the stages of labor. In maternity nursing, you will learn the stages of labor. As a nursing student, you must be familiar with each stage of labor and the nursing interventions based on the specific stage of labor. These type of questions may be found on NCLEX and definitely
on nursing lecture exams in maternity. For exams it is important to remember the following about the stages of labor: After you review these notes, don’t forget to take the stages of labor quiz. Stage 1 of LaborGoal: Cervical dilation (opening) 0-10 cm & 100% effacement (thinning) due to contractions. Facts:
Phases: Early Labor (Latent), Active, and Transition Remember the mnemonic: “ Labor is Actively Transitioning” Phase 1: Early labor (Latent)
Woman will be talking, excited, and nervous. Phase 2: Active Labor
Interventions: Provide comfort (non-pharmacological and pharmacology). Non-pharmacological: changing positions, warm shower or bath, massages between contractions, breathing techniques, ice or fluids for dry mouth. Pharmacological: epidural etc. Encourage frequent urination to keep bladder empty (full bladder prevents uterus from contracting properly and can slow down labor), monitor vitals of mother and fetal heart rate. Mother will be serious, anxious, and in pain. Phase 3: TransitionThis phase will lead into Stage 2 where the baby will be delivered.
Interventions: provide support, breathing techniques, encouragement, monitoring mother’s vitals and fetal heart rate (esp. during contractions, and before, and after…want heart rate 110 to 160), mother’s contractions (length, frequency) monitoring status of cervix (dilation and effacement), assessing fetal position and station (station 0 baby head is engaged and at ischial spine). The ischial spine is the narrowest part of the pelvis. Stage 2 of LaborStarts when cervix has fully dilated and ends when baby is fully delivered.
Interventions: Monitor mother’s vital and baby heart during, after, and before contractions with continuous fetal monitoring (assessing for signs of distress). Watch for changes in perineum that represents birth of baby is approaching:
Teach mom how to push: exhale when pushing and positioning (High-fowler and lithotomy), squatting, side-lying , maintain comfort measures, encouragement and praise, record exact time birth of the baby. Stage 3 of LaborStarts with full delivery of baby and ends with full delivery of the placenta. Lasts 5 to 15 minutes…the longer the stage the increased risk for hemorrhage and retained placenta (which can cause infection/hemorrhage). Signs that the placenta is about to be delivered:
Delivery Mechanisms of the Placenta:
Interventions: monitor BP before and after delivery of placenta, administer oxytocin “Pitocin” as ordered by the physician AFTER delivery of the placenta…helps uterus contract after delivery of placenta and prevents hemorrhage, assess placenta to make sure it is enact (cord should have two arteries and one vein), make mother comfortable and encourage bonding with baby (breastfeeding), change linens, peri-care. Stage 4 of Labor1 to 4 hours after the delivery of placenta Goal: monitor mother’s health status after birth due to risk for hemorrhage, infection (retaining placenta), and uterine atony etc.
More Maternity NCLEX Reviews References: Labor and birth | womenshealth.gov. (2017). womenshealth.gov. Retrieved 4 January 2017, from https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-and-beyond/labor-and-birth 6cm is the new 4cm: evaluating the definition of active phase of labor and its potential effect on cesarean rates and mortality. (2014). Retrieved 7 February 2020, from http://ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(13)01690-6/abstract What is the priority nursing action for a client in the second stage of labor?Phase 2: Active Labor
Interventions: Provide comfort (non-pharmacological and pharmacology). Non-pharmacological: changing positions, warm shower or bath, massages between contractions, breathing techniques, ice or fluids for dry mouth.
Which nursing action is performed during the second stage of labor?The second stage of labor may take from 15 to 30 minutes to several hours. Your primary nurse will help you with breathing and pushing techniques. You will be encouraged to push with your contractions, holding your breath as you do so.
Which nursing action has the highest priority for a patient in the second stage of labor quizlet?Which nursing action has the highest priority for a patient in the second stage of labor? Help the mother push effectively. The second stage of labor is the pushing stage. The nurse should help the mother push effectively.
What happens during Stage 2 of labor?In the second stage of labor, your cervix is fully dilated and ready for childbirth. This stage is the most work for you because your provider wants you to start pushing your baby out. This stage can be as short as 20 minutes or as long as a few hours. It may be longer for first-time moms or if you've had an epidural.
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