- Passageway-pelvis and soft tissue
- Passenger-fetus size and postion
- Powers-effectiveness of contractions
- Psyche-preparation, previous birth experiences
4 types of Pelvis
1. Gynecoid
Most favorable for a vaginal birth Rounded shape
2. Platypelloid
Flat in its dimensions
3. Anthropoid Elongated shape
4. Android Heart-shaped
You can’t determine size and shape just by looking at a woman
Passenger
Amniotic fluid placenta membranes
Fetal skull—sutures help as determine baby’s position, molding
Attitude (Posture, Relationship of fetal parts to one another)
Lie Fetal accommodation to the passageway (where is baby’s back?)
Presentation
- Cephalic
- Shoulder
- Breech (complete, Frank, footling)
Station: Relationship of presenting part to ischial spines
- Zero station (Presenting part is at the level of the ischial spines)
- Minus station (Presenting part is above the ischial spines)
- Plus station (Presenting part is below the ischial spines)
Position
- Left or Right
- What is the presenting part?
A. Occiput
B. Sacrum
C. Mentum (face)
D. Shoulder
3. Anterior, posterior or transverse
Powers
Increment (Building up of the contraction –longest phase)
Decrement (Letting-up phase)
Acme/peak (Peak of the contraction)
Relaxation period aka Interval (Rest period between contractions)
Frequency: How often the contractions are occurring
Measured by counting time interval from beginning of one contraction to beginning of following contraction
Duration: Interval from beginning of a contraction to its end
Intensity: Strength of the contraction
Factors impacting the Psyche of a laboring woman
• Current pregnancy experience
• Previous birth experiences
• Expectations for current birth experience • Preparation for birth
• Presence and support of birth companion • Culture