2. Labour is the series of events (that is
rhythmic contraction and relaxation) take
place in uterus inorder to expel the products
of conception ( fetus, placenta and
membrane) from the womb through vagina to
out of the world.
3. The powers
Uterine contractions
The passages
bony pelvis, and soft tissues
The passenger
Fetus
4. 2. Secondary powers:
# voluntary uterine contractions- abdominal muscles.
# leads to expulsion of the baby.
- Retraction: Progressive shortening of uterine smooth muscle cells in
the upper portion of the uterus as labor progresses.
8. Pelvic brim (The inlet of the
pelvis):
- Transverse diameter of inlet: 13.5
cm
- AP diameter of inlet: 11 cm
- Angle of inlet is 60° to the
horizontal in erect position.
9. Pelvic mid cavity:
It is almost round, having similar AP and
transverse diameters (12 cm).
The pelvic axis describes the imaginary
curved line which shows the path that the
center of fetal head takes during its
passage through the pelvis.
10. Pelvic outlet:
Transverse Diameter: 11 cm.
AP diameter: 13.5 cm.
Inlet: Transverse diameter is
wider.
Outlet: AP diameter is wider.
11. The pelvic floor is formed by the
two levator ani muscles which
forms, along with its fascia, a
gutter during the second stage of
labor.
12. Gynecoid (Classic type):
- Found in 50% of women.
- It has a cylindrical shape.
- Is most favorable.
- Fetal head usually assumes an occipito- anterior
position in this type.
Round at the inlet, with the widest transverse diameter only slightly
greater than the anteroposterior diameter
Side walls straight
Ischial spines of average prominence
Well-curved sacrum
Spacious subpubic arch, with an angle of approximately 90 degrees
13. • Android:
- Typical male pelvis.
- 30% of women.
- limited space at inlet and gets narrower as
you go down the pelvis (funneling).
- Fetal head is forced to be in occipito-
anterior position.
- The angle of the pubic arch is less than
90 degrees.
Deep transverse arrest of descent is common at
midpelvis.
14. Anthropoid:
- Resembles that of the
anthropoid Ape.
- 20% of women.
- Fetal head engages in the AP
diameter of pelvis (which is longer than
transverse at inlet in this case).
- Persistent occipito-posterior
` position.
15. • Platypelloid:
- A flattened gynecoid pelvis.
- 3% of women.
- Oval shaped inlet with wide transverse
diameter.
- A more gentle curve.
- Fetal head has to engage in the
transverse diameter.
Risk of obstructed labor
16. Note that all pelvic measurements relates to bony
pelvis. As the pelvic ligaments loosen in pregnancy.
The pelvis is often more flexible than the
measurements would suggest which is why the
pelvic measurements may not be helpful.
17.
18. • Fetal skull is the largest and the least compressible
part, thus it is the most important part of delivery
whatever the presentation is.
• The skull is made of: Vault, Face and Base.
• At the time of labor only unossified membranes at
the sutures join the bones of the vault, unlike the
face and the base which are firmly united.
19. • Between the bones there are four membranous
sutures: Sagittal, Frontal, Coronal and Lambdoidal.
• Fontanels are the junction of the various sutures:
Anterior fontanel (bregma) and Posterior fontanel.
• Vertex is the area of fetal skull bounded by two
parietal eminences laterally and the Ant. and Pos.
fontanels.
21. The longitudinal diameters that presents in a well-
flexed head is the suboccipito-bregmatic diameter
(9.5cm).
The longitudinal diameters that presents in a less
flexed head is the suboccipito-frontal diameter
(10cm).
22. With further extension of the head the occipito-
frontal diameter present (11.5cm).
The greatest longitudinal diameter that may present
is the mento-vertical diameter (Brow presentation)
(13cm).
The extension of the fetal head beyond this point
results in the submento-bregmatic diameters
(9.5cm).
23.
24. A series of changes in position and attitude the fetus
undergoes during its passage through the birth canal.
The following is a description for this mechanism in
a vertex presenting fetus in a gynecoid pelvis.
28. Descent: during first stage and first phase of
second stage of labor descent occurs secondary to
uterine contractions. In the active phase of second
stage it is helped by voluntary use of abdominal
muscles and the Valsava maneuver (pushing).
29.
30. Flexion: it is a passive movement due to
resistance from the cervix, pelvic walls, and pelvic
floor. It minimizes the presenting diameter (from
occipitofrontal to suboccipitobregmatic).
31.
32. Internal rotation:the occiput rotates
anteriorly, sagittal suture lies in AP diameter of
pelvic outlet (widest diameter), this probably
occurs as the fetal head meets the muscular
sling of the pelvic floor.
33.
34. Extension: occiput escapes from underneath
the symphysis pubis and distends through the
vulva.
Episiotomy might be needed to reduce pernial
resistance.
Crowning: When the largest diameter of fetal
head is encircled by the vulvar ring (vertex
reached a +5 station).
Further extension, using the symphysis pubis as
a fulcrum, leads to appearance of the bregma,
followed by the face and the chin.
35.
36. Restitution: As soon as head escapes from the
vulva it aligns itself with the shoulders. The
occiput rotates one eighth of a circle (neck
untwists turning the head sideways).
External rotation:
Shoulders rotate to the AP plane.
Occiput rotates a further one eighth of a circle to
the transverse position.
37.
38. Delivery of shoulders and body:
Anterior shoulder delivers first followed by posterior
shoulder.
Rest of fetal body is normally delivered easily.