Labour and Delivery

Introduction
The journey involved in labour and delivery is often described as the most hazardous or dangerous of our lives. It is important to constantly check the condition of the mother and fetus, as well as the process of labour itself. This does not always have to mean high-tech surveillance is necessary. In a pregnancy where mother and baby are considered to be low risk, the vigilance of a trained midwife or obstetrician can be just as, if not more, effective in the monitoring a labour.

Assessment of well being in labour
In labour the condition of the mother, the condition of the fetus and the process of labour are constantly assessed.

A. Assessing condition of mother
1. Alert, oriented, communicating.
2. Temperature, blood pressure, pulse
3. Urinalysis ? protein, glucose, ketones
4. Full blood count / group and save
5. Management of medical problems, if any
B. Assessing condition of the fetus(es)
1. Clinical assessment of fetal size and position / presentation
2. Fetal heart rate pattern
3. Presence and amount of liquor (amniotic fluid)
4. Presence and grade of meconium or blood in liquor
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