Page 10 - 33Elctronic Book (3) Normal Labor

Module Contents

1). Female Pelvis, Fetal Skull

2). Student Activities
3). Normal labor

4). Electronic Fetal Monitoring
5). Immediate care of the newborn

6). General follow up activities.
7). References

Female Pelvis, Fetal Skull

Study Session 1A Female Pelvis

Introduction

▪ In this study session you will learn about the bony structures with the most
importance for the pregnant woman and the fetus she will give birth. The bones

of the skeleton have the main function of supporting our body weight and acting
as attachment points for our muscles. The focus in this study session will be on

the female pelvis, which supports the major load of the pregnant uterus, and the
fetal skull, which has to pass through the woman’s pelvis when she gives birth.

▪ There are certain key landmarks in the anatomy of the female pelvis and the fetal
skull that we will show you in this study session. Knowing these landmarks will

enable you to estimate the progress of labor, by identifying changes in their
relative positions as the fetus passes down the birth canal. You will learn how to
do this in the next Module in this curriculum, which is on Labor and Delivery

Care.

Learning Outcomes for Study Session

When you have studied this session, you should be able to:

1. Describe the female pelvis and identify the important features for obstetric care.

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Contents