Preterm Labor
Regular uterine contractions and cervical change occurring between 20.0 and 36.6 weeks of pregnancy.
Preterm Labor
Chemical or mechanical initiation of uterine contractions before spontaneous onset.
Induction of labor
Low amniotic fluid volume. Can cause increased pressure on the umbilical cord and can lead to poor fetal outcomes.
Oligohydramnios
Attempt to labor and deliver vaginally after having a cesarean birth previously.
TOLAC (Trial of Labor After Cesarean)
The head of the bed is lowered below the bottom of the bed so that the patient's head is positioned down and the feet positioned up. Used to decrease pressure on the umbilical cord with a cord prolapse.
Trendelenburg
Any birth that occurs after 20 weeks and before the completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy regardless of birth weight
Preterm Birth
Chemical agents used to soften and thin the cervix.
Prostaglandins
Bacterial infection in the amniotic cavity. Often occurs after labor begins.
Chorioamnionitis
Successfully delivering vaginally after having a cesarean birth previously.
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)
Weight at the time of birth of 2500 g or less.
Low Birth Weight (LBW)
Medicines that are used to slow or stop the contractions of a woman's uterus during pregnancy.
Tocolytics
Hormone produced by the posterior pituitary gland. Stimulates contractions and aids in milk ejection (let-down). Synthetic form is used to induce or augment labor and to promote uterine contraction after delivery.
Oxytocin (Pitocin)
Artificial rupture of membranes (AROM). Done to stimulate labor or help labor progress.
Amniotomy
Labor that lasts less than 3 hours from onset to time of birth.
Precipitous birth
A procedure in which a small volume of the patient's blood is injected into a their epidural space to stop a leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Used to treat a spinal headache.
Blood patch
Tocolytic medications used to slow or stop contractions with preterm labor.
Indocin, Nifedipine, Magnesium sulfate, Terbutaline
Stimulation of uterine contractions after labor has started but progress is unsatisfactory. Implemented for the management of hypotonic uterine dysfunction.
Augmentation of labor
Spontaneous rupture of the amniotic sac and leakage of amniotic fluid beginning before the onset of labor at any gestational age.
Prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM)
When the head is delivered, but the anterior shoulder cannot pass under the pubic arch. May require McRoberts maneuver, suprapubic pressure, and other maneuvers to release. EMERGENCY.
Shoulder dystocia
A baby is much larger than average. Fetal growth beyond a specific threshold, regardless of gestational age. Typically greater than 4000g (8 lbs 13 oz).
Macrosomia
Given to the mother IM in 2 doses 24 hours apart to promote lung maturity for the fetus.
Betamethasone
Evaluates the inducibility of the cervix. Score of 8 or more is favorable.
Bishop Score
Spontaneous rupture of the amniotic sac and leakage of fluid before the completion of 37 weeks of gestation often associated with weakening of the membranes caused by inflammation, stress from uterine contractions, or other factors that cause increased intrauterine pressure.
Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM)
When the umbilical cord lies below the presenting part of the fetus. Most common after rupture of membranes (ROM). EMERGENCY.
Umbilical cord prolapse
Condition in which the fetus is smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy (gestational age).
IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction)