Stages of Labor
| 1 — Dilation | onset → 10 cm (latent 0–6, active 6–10) |
| 2 — Delivery | full dilation → birth |
| 3 — Placenta | birth → placenta delivered |
| 4 — Recovery | 1–2 h postpartum (watch hemorrhage) |
Fetal Heart Rate
| Baseline | 110–160 bpm |
| Early decel | head compression — benign |
| Late decel | placental insufficiency — BAD |
| Variable decel | cord compression |
Late/variable: reposition, O₂, stop oxytocin, notify.
Key Medications
| Magnesium sulfate | seizure prophylaxis; antidote Ca gluconate |
| RhoGAM | Rh- mom @28 wk & within 72 h of birth |
| Betamethasone | fetal lung maturity (preterm) |
| Oxytocin | induce/augment; treat PPH |
Bleeding — Danger Signs
| Placenta previa | PAINLESS bright red — NO vaginal exam |
| Abruptio placentae | PAINFUL dark red, rigid uterus |
| Postpartum hemorrhage | boggy uterus → massage, then oxytocin |
Postpartum Assessment
| Fundus | firm, midline, at umbilicus |
| Boggy uterus | atony = #1 cause of PPH |
| Lochia | rubra → serosa → alba |
APGAR Score
| Assesses | HR, Respirations, Tone, Reflex, Color |
| Timing | 1 and 5 minutes |
| Score | 7–10 good; 4–6 moderate; 0–3 critical |
Educational quick-reference only; values/ranges vary by source. Verify against your facility and the current NCSBN test plan.
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