Laurie is a 32-year-old primigravida at 40 weeks of gestation who is admitted to the Labor and Delivery unit in early labor. She has no known risk factors. Her membrane is intact, and she is 3 cm dilated, 90% effaced, and -1 station. The fetal heart rate is 120 bpm with moderate variability, and she is contracting 3 to 4 minutes apart for 60 seconds.
1) As a woman progresses through the stages of labor, various body system adaptations will occur. What are the risks to the maternal-fetal unit as a result?
2) What are the respiratory physiologic changes that occur during labor?
3) What are the cardiovascular physiologic changes that occur during labor?
4) What position is beneficial for the laboring woman due to these cardiovascular changes? Explain your answer.
Laurie asks the nurse if she can eat the turkey sandwich that her husband bought for her in the cafeteria.
5) Should Laurie eat a sandwich while in labor? What are the gastrointestinal physiologic changes that occur during labor?
Laurie's labor progresses, her membrane spontaneously ruptures with clear fluid. She is 5 cm dilated on examination. Laurie wants an epidural for pain management. She is preloaded with intravenous (IV) fluid. Her bladder is distended 1 hour after the epidural is placed, and the nurse obtains an order from the physician for a Foley catheterization.
6) The nurse dipsticks Laurie's urine for protein, and it is 1+. Should the nurse be concerned about this finding? Explain your answer.