5 p's of Labor

"F"eeding "D"ogs "I"s "R"ewarding

"F"requency (time from beginning of one vontraction to beginning of another/ clock or monitor paper, computer). "D"uration (length of each contraction start-finish) "I'ntensity (muscle tone of the uterus at the acme of contraction MILD, MODERATE, STRONG) "R"esting Tone (muscle tone of the uterus at rest, between contractions)

Signs of Impending Labor

Lightening: movement of the fetus downward into pelvic cavity (engagement) Braxton-Hicks Contractions: irregular contractions that occur after 3rd month of pregnancy Bloody Show: pink-tinged mucous secretions resulting from cervical dilation Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes: amniotic fluid from the vagina

5 p's

Passage, Passenger, Powers, Psyche, Partners

Passenger

Size (child) Presentation (fetal structure entering the pelvis first- vertex should be presenting part). Position (location of the back of the fetal head)

Passage

Type of Pelvis= Gynecoid/Anthropoid (good) Android/Platypelloid (bad)

Powers

contraction and relaxation of uterus voluntary pushing efforts of woman

Psyche

maternal emotional status, support, preparation for labor/birth

Partners

relationship b/t passenger and passage Passenger: vertex presentation, sutures shift and move to navigate through the pelvis Pelvis: "False Pelvis" vs "True Pelvis" pelvic inlet mid-pelvis pelvic outlet pelvic floor Ischial Spines "zero station"= fetal head at spines "plus station"= fetal head below the spines, indicated by numbers "minus station"= fetal head above the spines