CARDINAL MOVEMENTS OF LABOR/LABOUR | MECHANISMS OF LABOR/LABOUR

Summary

In this video, a nursing professor explains the cardinal movements of labor, the series of positional changes a baby undergoes to navigate the birth canal. The steps include engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and expulsion. Each movement is detailed to show how the baby moves through the pelvis during labor. A memorable acronym, 'Every darn fool in Egypt eats raw eggs,' is provided to help learners recall the sequence. This educational video is perfect for those studying obstetrics or nursing, offering clear insights into the labor process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Engagement occurs when the baby's head enters the pelvic inlet, typically reaching zero station.
• 😀 Descent refers to the downward movement of the baby's head into the pelvic inlet, driven by factors like uterine contractions and amniotic fluid pressure.
• 😀 Flexion is the movement where the baby tucks its chin to its chest to navigate through the birth canal more easily.
• 😀 Internal rotation is when the baby’s head rotates to align with the mother's pelvis, ensuring proper positioning for birth.
• 😀 Extension describes the delivery of the baby’s head, where the head pivots under the symphysis pubis.
• 😀 External rotation (or restitution) happens after the head is delivered, allowing the baby’s head to return to its original position for shoulder delivery.
• 😀 Expulsion is the final stage where the rest of the baby’s body is delivered, starting with the anterior shoulder.
• 😀 The mnemonic 'Every Darn Fool In Egypt Eats Raw Eggs' can help remember the order of the cardinal movements.
• 😀 Engagement can happen before labor or during the early stages, depending on whether it's the mother's first birth or not.
• 😀 Resistance from the cervix, pelvic walls, or pelvic floor causes the baby to flex its head, which facilitates further descent.
• 😀 The sequence of movements (engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and expulsion) ensures the baby navigates the birth canal properly.

Q & A

What are the cardinal movements of labor?

The cardinal movements of labor are a series of positional changes that the fetus undergoes as it navigates through the birth canal during labor. These movements include engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation (restitution), and expulsion.

What is the process of engagement in labor?

Engagement occurs when the baby’s head enters the pelvic inlet and is at zero station, aligning with the mother’s ischial spines. The sagittal suture of the baby’s head aligns with the transverse diameter of the pelvis during engagement.

How does the station of the baby relate to engagement?

Station refers to the position of the baby’s presenting part in relation to the ischial spines of the pelvis. Zero station means the baby’s head is at the level of the ischial spines, marking engagement. The head can be above this level (negative stations) or below it (positive stations) depending on how far the baby has descended.

What factors contribute to the descent of the baby during labor?

Descent is facilitated by amniotic fluid pressure, the contractions of the uterus, the pressure exerted by the fundus on the baby's head, and the extension and straightening of the fetal body.

What is flexion and why is it important in labor?

Flexion is the movement where the baby tucks its chin to its chest in response to resistance from the cervix, pelvic walls, or floor. This is important because it helps the baby’s head to navigate through the birth canal more effectively.

What is the purpose of internal rotation during labor?

Internal rotation occurs when the baby’s head rotates to align with the long axis of the mother’s pelvis. This alignment is necessary for the baby to position itself optimally for delivery.

How does the extension movement aid in the delivery process?

Extension helps deliver the baby's head as it pivots beneath the symphysis pubis. This movement happens after the baby’s chin is tucked and internal rotation has occurred, enabling the head to be delivered through the pelvic outlet.

What is external rotation (restitution), and why is it necessary?

External rotation (or restitution) happens after the head is delivered. The baby’s head rotates back to its earlier position to align with the shoulders, which are then rotated to allow for easier delivery through the birth canal.

What happens during the expulsion stage of labor?

Expulsion is the final stage where the rest of the baby’s body, including the anterior and posterior shoulders, is delivered. Once the shoulders are out, the rest of the body is typically delivered more quickly.

What is a useful mnemonic to remember the order of the cardinal movements?

A common mnemonic to remember the order of the cardinal movements is: 'Every Darn Fool In Egypt Eats Raw.' This stands for Engagement, Descent, Flexion, Internal Rotation, Extension, Restitution (External Rotation), and Expulsion.