Cardinal movements of labor

Cardinal movements of labor

Cardinal movements of labor

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Cardinal Movements - The Fetal Descent Dance

A series of fetal position changes to navigate the maternal pelvis.

📌 Mnemonic: Every Darn Fool In Rotterdam Eats Rotten Eggs.

  • Engagement: Biparietal diameter passes the pelvic inlet.
  • Descent: Downward passage of the presenting part.
  • Flexion: Fetal chin tucks to chest, presenting a smaller diameter.
  • Internal Rotation: Fetal head rotates from transverse to anteroposterior.

    ⭐ The pelvic floor muscles (levator ani) are crucial for guiding the fetal head to rotate into the optimal AP diameter.

  • Extension: Head extends as it passes under the pubic symphysis.
  • External Rotation (Restitution): Head rotates back to align with the shoulders.
  • Expulsion: Shoulders and body are delivered.

Cardinal Movements of Labor Diagram

The 7 Movements - Every Darn Fool In Egypt Eats Raw Eggs

📌 Engagement → Descent → Flexion → Internal Rotation → Extension → External Rotation → Expulsion

7 Cardinal Movements of Labor

  • Engagement: The biparietal diameter (largest transverse diameter of the fetal head) passes the pelvic inlet. In nulliparous women, this often occurs before labor begins.

  • Descent: Continuous downward movement of the fetus through the birth canal. It's a prerequisite for all other movements.

  • Flexion: As the head descends, it meets resistance from the pelvic floor, causing the fetal chin to flex towards the chest. This presents the smallest head diameter (suboccipitobregmatic) for passage.

  • Internal Rotation: The fetal head rotates from a transverse orientation to an anteroposterior (AP) orientation, most commonly occiput-anterior (OA), to align with the longest diameter of the pelvic outlet.

  • Extension: Once the head reaches the level of the introitus, the occiput passes beneath the symphysis pubis. The head extends, allowing the face and chin to be born.

Asynclitism: This is the tilting of the fetal head to one side, causing the sagittal suture to be misaligned with the pelvic axis. While a mild degree is normal, persistent asynclitism can lead to labor dystocia.

  • External Rotation (Restitution): After delivery of the head, it rotates back to its original transverse position to align with the fetal shoulders (restitution). The shoulders then rotate into an AP position.

  • Expulsion: The anterior shoulder delivers under the symphysis pubis, followed by the posterior shoulder and the rest of the body.

Clinical Correlations - When the Dance Falters

McRoberts maneuver for shoulder dystocia

  • Failure to Progress: Arrest of descent or dilatation, often from one of three Ps: Power (contractions), Passenger (fetus), or Passage (pelvis).
    • Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD): Mismatch between fetal head & maternal pelvis. Often requires C-section.
    • Inadequate Contractions: May require oxytocin augmentation.
  • Malposition & Asynclitism:
    • Persistent Occiput Posterior (POP): "Sunny-side up." Causes severe back labor & prolonged second stage. May require manual or instrumental rotation.
  • Shoulder Dystocia: OBSTETRIC EMERGENCY. Anterior shoulder impacts behind pubic symphysis after head delivery.

    ⭐ Associated with brachial plexus injury (Erb's palsy) and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

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Practice Questions: Cardinal movements of labor

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 34-year-old pregnant woman with unknown medical history is admitted to the hospital at her 36th week of gestation with painful contractions. She received no proper prenatal care during the current pregnancy. On presentation, her vital signs are as follows: blood pressure is 110/60 mm Hg, heart rate is 102/min, respiratory rate is 23/min, and temperature is 37.0℃ (98.6℉). Fetal heart rate is 179/min. Pelvic examination shows a closed non-effaced cervix. During the examination, the patient experiences a strong contraction accompanied by a high-intensity pain after which contractions disappear. The fetal heart rate becomes 85/min and continues to decrease. The fetal head is now floating. Which of the following factors would most likely be present in the patient’s history?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Cardinal movements of labor

1/9

The components of the bishop score include: _____

Hint: 5

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

The components of the bishop score include: _____

1. Fetal station 2. Cervical dilation 3. Cervical effacement 4. Cervical position 5. Cervical consistency

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