Key Points Fetal lie refers to the orientation of the fetal spine relative to that of the mother. Normal fetal lie is longitudinal and by itself does not connote whether the presentation is cephalic or breech. Fetal malpresentation requires timely…
Key Points Analgesia during labor can reduce or prevent potentially adverse stress responses to the pain of labor, including postpartum depression. Parenteral opioids for labor analgesia work primarily by sedation and, except at high doses, result in minimal reduction of…
Key Points The goal of intrapartum FHR monitoring is to assess the adequacy of fetal oxygenation during labor so that timely and appropriate steps can be taken when necessary to avoid fetal hypoxic injury. Fetal oxygenation involves the transfer of…
Key Points Rates of cesarean delivery have risen in the United States, reaching a rate of approximately 25% of all deliveries, whereas rates of forceps deliveries have declined from 17.7% in 1980 to 4% in 2000. Treat the vacuum extractor…
Key Points Labor is a clinical diagnosis defined as uterine contractions that result in progressive cervical effacement and dilation. The most common causes of protraction or arrest disorders are inadequate uterine activity and abnormal positioning of the fetal presenting part.…
Key Points Labor is a clinical diagnosis that includes regular painful uterine contractions and progressive cervical effacement and dilation. Labor has three stages: the first stage is from labor onset until full dilation of the cervix, the second stage is…
Key Points Although the PMR has fallen steadily in the United States since 1965, the number of fetal deaths has not changed substantially in the past decade. Perinatal events play an important role in infant mortality and long-term disability of…
Key Points About 3% of liveborn infants have a major congenital anomaly due to a chromosome abnormality, single-gene mutation or multifactorial/polygenic inheritance, or exogenous factors (i.e., teratogens). Noninvasive screening tests for the common autosomal trisomies should be offered at any…
Key Points Sonographers should become familiar with the basic physics of ultrasound, equipment controls, and scanning techniques to optimize ultrasound images. All of the elements of the standard obstetric ultrasound exam are important for clinical management and should not be…
Key Points The critical period of organ development extends from day 31 to day 71 after the first day of the LMP. Infants of epileptic women taking certain anticonvulsants, such as valproic acid, have double the rate of malformations of…