INTRAPARTUM PREP/STUDY GUIDE: A SELF EVALUATION TOOL
1. Define Lie, Presentation, Station, Position, Attitude (Chapter 13 424)
★ Fetal attitude:
... [Show More] refers to the positioning (flexion or extension) of the joints & the
relationship of fetal parts to one another
○ Most common fetal attitude when labor begins is with all joints
flexed→fetal back is rounded, chin is on the chest, the thighs are flexed on
the abdomen, & the legs are flexed at the knees
○ This position is most favorable for vaginal birth
○ Smallest diameter presents to the pelvis
★ Fetal lie: refers to the relationship of the long axis (spine) of the fetus to the long
axis (spine) of the mother
○ 3 possible lies:
■ Longitudinal–most common; occurs when axis of fetus is parallel to
axis of mother→fetal and maternal spine are side by side
■ Transverse–occurs when long axis of fetus is perpendicular to the
long axis of the mother→fetal spine lies across maternal abdomen
& crosses her spine
■ Oblique–fetal long axis is at an angle to the bony inlet, & no
palpable fetal part is presenting→usually transitional & occurs
during fetal conversion between other lies (happens when fetus
moves around)
★ Fetal Presentation: refers to the body part of the fetus that enters the pelvic inlet
first→the “presenting part”
○ The fetal part that lies over the inlet of pelvis or cervical os
○ 3 main presentations:
■ Cephalic–head first; majority of term newborns (95%) *Figure 13.7
A-D→often called vertex presentation (vertex=cephalic)
■ Breech–pelvis first; accounts for 3% of term births *Figure 13.8 A-D
■
■
■ Shoulder–scapula first; approximately 2% of term births→ aka
shoulder dystocia
★ Fetal Position: describes the relationship of a given point on the presenting part
of the fetus to a designated point of the maternal pelvis
○ Designated points of paternal pelvis = 4 quadrants → right anterior; left
anterior; right posterior; left posterior; right transverse; left transverse.
○ Landmark fetal presenting parts include:
■ Occipital bone (O) which designates a vertex presentation [Show Less]