Fetal Station Assessment and Engagement Nursing NCLEX Maternity Review

Summary

In this educational video, Sarah Thread Sterner explains the concept of fetal station, which refers to the position of the baby's presenting part in the mother's pelvis. The ischial spines serve as a key landmark, with measurements above and below this line denoted as negative and positive numbers, respectively. Fetal station zero indicates the baby's presenting part is at the level of the ischial spines, suggesting the baby is engaged and ready for birth. The video also clarifies how to interpret plus and minus numbers in fetal station, helping viewers understand the baby's readiness for delivery.

Takeaways

• 👶 Fetal station refers to the location or position of the baby's presenting part within the mother's pelvis.
• 🔍 The presenting part is usually the baby's head, but it can also be the foot or another body part closest to the cervix.
• ✅ Fetal station is measured in relation to the ischial spines, bony landmarks in the pelvis that can be felt.
• 📏 Measurement is done in centimeters, with five centimeters above and five centimeters below the ischial spine line.
• 📉 Stations above the ischial spine line are denoted with negative numbers (e.g., -1 for one centimeter above).
• 📈 Stations below the ischial spine line are denoted with positive numbers (e.g., +1 for one centimeter below).
• 🎯 Fetal station zero (0) is when the presenting part is at the level of the ischial spine line, indicating the baby is engaged.
• 🤰 For first-time mothers, engagement usually occurs around 38 weeks, while for mothers who have given birth before, it can happen during labor.
• 🚨 A fetal station of +4 or +5 indicates that the baby is close to being born, and preparations for delivery should be made.
• 💡 The plus and minus numbers can be remembered as follows: plus numbers mean the baby is lower in the pelvis and closer to birth, while minus numbers mean the baby is higher and not yet ready to be born.

Q & A

What is fetal station?

Fetal station refers to the location or position of the baby's presenting part within the pelvis, specifically in relation to the mother's cervix.

What is the significance of the ischial spines in measuring fetal station?

The ischial spines are bony prominences in the pelvis used as a landmark to measure the fetal station. They help determine how much the baby has descended into the pelvis.

How is the fetal station measured in terms of distance from the ischial spines?

Fetal station is measured in centimeters, considering the distance above or below the ischial spine line, with measurements ranging from -5 to +5.

What does a negative number in fetal station indicate?

A negative number in fetal station indicates that the baby's presenting part is above the ischial spine line, suggesting that the baby has not yet fully engaged in the pelvis.

What does a positive number in fetal station signify?

A positive number in fetal station signifies that the baby's presenting part is below the ischial spine line, indicating that the baby has descended and is closer to being born.

At what fetal station is a baby considered engaged?

A baby is considered engaged at fetal station 0, which means the presenting part has reached the ischial spine line and entered the pelvic inlet.

What is the term used to describe when a baby is about to be born in terms of fetal station?

When a baby is at a fetal station of +4 or +5, it is referred to as 'lightning', indicating that the baby is about to be born and preparations for delivery should be made.

At what week does a first-time mother typically engage?

First-time mothers typically engage around 38 weeks of pregnancy.

Can the timing of engagement in fetal station vary for mothers who have given birth before?

Yes, for mothers who have given birth before, engagement can happen as late as when labor starts, which can vary from person to person.

How can one remember the difference between plus and minus numbers in fetal station?

Plus numbers indicate the baby is below the ischial spine line and closer to birth, while minus numbers indicate the baby is above the line and not yet fully engaged.