During labor and delivery, your baby must pass through your pelvic bones to reach the vaginal opening. The goal is to find the easiest way out. Certain body positions give the baby a smaller shape, which makes it easier for your baby to get through this tight passage. Show The best position for the baby to pass through the pelvis is with the head down and the body facing toward the mother's back. This position is called occiput anterior. Certain terms are used to describe your baby's position and movement through the birth canal. FETAL STATION Fetal station refers to where the presenting part is in your pelvis.
In first-time moms, the baby's head may engage by 36 weeks into the pregnancy. However, engagement may happen later in the pregnancy, or even during labor. FETAL LIE This refers to how the baby's spine lines up with the mother's spine. Your baby's spine is between his head and tailbone. Your baby will most often settle into a position in the pelvis before labor begins.
FETAL ATTITUDE The fetal attitude describes the position of the parts of your baby's body. The normal fetal attitude is commonly called the fetal position.
Abnormal fetal attitudes include a head that is tilted back, so the brow or the face presents first. Other body parts may be positioned behind the back. When this happens, the presenting part will be larger as it passes through the pelvis. This makes delivery more difficult. DELIVERY PRESENTATION Delivery presentation describes the way the baby is positioned to come down the birth canal for delivery. The best position for your baby inside your uterus at the time of delivery is head down. This is called cephalic presentation.
If your baby is in any position other than head down, your doctor may recommend a cesarean delivery. Breech presentation is when the baby's bottom is down. Breech presentation occurs about 3% of the time. There are a few types of breech:
The shoulder, arm, or trunk may present first if the fetus is in a transverse lie. This type of presentation occurs less than 1% of the time. Transverse lie is more common when you deliver before your due date, or have twins or triplets. CARDINAL MOVEMENTS OF LABOR As your baby passes through the birth canal, the baby's head will change positions. These changes are needed for your baby to fit and move through your pelvis. These movements of your baby's head are called cardinal movements of labor. Engagement
Descent
Flexion
Internal Rotation
Extension
External Rotation
Expulsion
Shoulder presentation; Malpresentations; Breech birth; Cephalic presentation; Fetal lie; Fetal attitude; Fetal descent; Fetal station; Cardinal movements; Labor-birth canal; Delivery-birth canal Barth WH. Malpresentations and malposition. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 17. Kilpatrick SJ, Garrison E, Fairbrother E. Normal labor and delivery. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 11. Updated by: LaQuita Martinez, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Alpharetta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Which method does the nurse use to determine fetal presentation position and attitude quizlet?Which method does the nurse use to determine fetal presentation, position and attitude? Leopold maneuvers are a noninvasive method of assessing fetal presentation, position and attitude by placing hands on the maternal abdomen and locating fetal body parts.
How does the nurse assess fetal position?It can be assessed through vaginal examination, abdominal inspection and palpation, sonography, or auscultation of fetal heart tones. By knowing the fetal presentation, you can anticipate which part of the fetus will first pass through the cervix during delivery.
What are the types of fetal presentation?Advertising & Sponsorship. Settling into position.. Head down — Facing down.. Head down — Facing up.. Frank breech presentation.. Complete breech presentation.. Lying sideways.. Twins.. How do you determine fetal station?Your doctor determines the fetal station by examining your cervix and locating where the lowest part of your baby is in relation to your pelvis. Your doctor will then assign a number from -5 to +5 to describe where your baby's presenting part (usually the head) is located.
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