Page 168 - كتاب تمريض نسا الاكتروني

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 Characteristics of normal labor
 The fetus is born at full term (>completed 37 weeks)
 The fetus is viable and single
 The fetus presentation is vertex

 The process of labor is completed spontaneously
 through the natural passage ( birth canal)

 The time of labor does not exceed 24 hours
 Without any complication to the mother or to the fetus
 Factors affecting the progress of labor:
There are five essential factors that affect the process of labor :

Fetal factors:
Passengers: Fetus (Size of the fetal head, Attitude, position, presentation,

Engagement, Station) Placenta, membranes, umbilical cord, blood and amniotic fluid

Maternal Factors:.
 Passages: Pelvis, pelvic floor, uterus, cervix , vagina and vulva

 Powers :
• Primary power: contraction and retraction of the uterine muscles

involuntary
• Characteristics of uterine contractions:
• Frequency or interval: The period between the start of one contraction and
the start of the next one.

• Duration: The period between the start of one contraction and its end.
• Intensity: The power or strength of the contraction.

• Phases of contraction: Each contraction has three phases:
A-Increment: A period during which the contraction begins slowly.
B-Acme: A period during which the contraction reaches a peak.

C-Decrement: A period during which the contraction diminishes.
- Secondary power: Refers to the power of the-abdominal muscles and
diaphragm, in the form of bearing down effort, which is partly voluntary and

partly involuntary, or reflex.

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