What is flexion during labor?

Flexion: While descending through the pelvis, the fetal head flexes so that the fetal chin is touching the fetal chest. This functionally creates a smaller structure to pass through the maternal pelvis.

What is fetal flexion?

Flexion is resistance to the descent of the fetus down the birth canal, which causes the head to flex or bend so that the chin approaches the chest.

Why do we maintain flexion during delivery?

Each technique claims to reduce perineal trauma by reducing the presenting diameter of the fetal skull through the woman’s vaginal opening. These two techniques are, however, contradictory and act against the normal mechanisms of labour.

What is lateral flexion in Labour?

Birth of shoulder & trunk by lateral flexion– As the shoulder is positioned in the anteroposterior diameter of outlet further descent occurs, the anterior shoulder escapes the subpubic arch and the posterior shoulder passes over the perineum, then rest of the body is born by the lateral flexion.

What is restitution in labor?

[res″tĭ-too´shun] the spontaneous realignment of the fetal head with the fetal body, after delivery of the head.

Where is the flexion point?

The flexion point is the location on the fetal head where outward traction pulls the head so as to allow flexion at the neck while keeping the mentovertical diameter in the direction of the birth canal.

Where is the flexion point located?

Location. The flexion point is located on the sagittal suture, 3 cm (about 1 inch) forward of the posterior fontanelle.

What are the 7 mechanisms of labor?

Anglo-American literature lists 7 cardinal movements, namely engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and expulsion.

What is flexion point in vacuum delivery?

What are the cardinal movements of the fetus during labor?

Seven discrete cardinal movements of the fetus occur over the course of labor and delivery: engagement, descent, flexion, internal rotation, extension, external rotation or restitution, and expulsion. Engagement: Engagement is the descent of the widest part of the fetus through the pelvic inlet.

What is the fetal head flexion during delivery?

Flexion: While descending through the pelvis, the fetal head flexes so that the fetal chin is touching the fetal chest. This functionally creates a smaller structure to pass through the maternal pelvis.

What is the correct definition of flexion?

1 : the act of flexing or bending. 2 : a part bent : bend. 3 : inflection sense 3. 4a : a bending movement around a joint in a limb (such as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint — compare extension sense 3b.

What is descent of the fetus during labor?

Descent: Descent refers to the downward passage of the presenting part through the pelvis. Descent of the fetus is not a steady, continuous process. The greatest rate of descent occurs during the deceleration phase of the first stage and during the second stage of labor.