Which statement explains the primary purpose of the side lying position during labor quizlet?

2:1

The detection of the presence of pulmonary surfactants, surface-active phospholipids, in amniotic fluid has been used to determine the degree of fetal lung maturity, or the ability of the lungs to function after birth. Lecithin (L) is the most critical alveolar surfactant required for postnatal lung expansion. It is detectable at approximately 21 weeks and increases after week 24. Another pulmonary phospholipid, sphingomyelin (S), remains constant in amount. The measure of lecithin in relation to sphingomyelin, or the L/S ratio, is used to determine fetal lung maturity. When the L/S ratio reaches 2:1, the fetus' lungs are considered mature. The ratios of 1:1, 1.4:1, and 1.8:1 are incorrect.

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A. Descent—Mechanism of labor that accompanies all the others. Without descent, none of the mechanisms will occur.

B. Engagement—Engagement occurs when the largest diameters of the fetal presenting part (normally the head) has passed the pelvic inlet and entered the pelvic cavity. Engagement is presumed to have occurred when the station of the presenting part is zero or lower. Engagement often take place before onset of labor in nulliparous women. In many parous women and in some nulliparas, it does not occur until after labor begins.

C. Flexion—As the fetus descends, the fetal head is flexed farther as it meets resistance from the soft tissues of the pelvis. Head flexion presents the smallest anteroposterior diameter (suboccipitobregmatic) to the pelvis.

D. Internal rotation—The fetus enters the pelvic inlet with the sagittal suture in a transverse or oblique orientation to the maternal pelvis because that is the widest inlet diameter. Internal rotation allows the longest fetal head diameter (the anteroposterior) to conform to the longest diameter of the maternal pelvis. The longest pelvic outlet diameter is the anteroposterior. As the head descends to the level of the ischial spines, it gradually turns so that the fetal occiput is in the anterior of the pelvis. When internal rotation is complete, the sagittal suture is oriented in the anteroposterior pelvic diameter. Less commonly, the head may turn posteriorly so that the occiput is directed toward the mother's sacrum (OP).

E. Extension—To negotiate the curve of the pelvis, the fetal head must change from an attitude of flexion to one of extension. While still in flexion, the fetal head meets resistance from the tissues of the pelvic floor. At the same time, the fetal neck stops under the symphysis, which acts as a pivot. The combination of resistance from the pelvic floor and the pivoting action of the symphysis causes the fetal head to swing anteriorly, or extend, with each maternal pushing effort. The head is born in extension, with the occiput sliding under the symphysis and the face directed toward the rectum. The fetal brown, nose, and chin slide over the perineum as the head is born.

F. External rotation—When the head is born with the occiput directed anteriorly, the shoulders must rotate internally so that they align with the anteroposterior diameter of the pelvis. After the head is born, is spontaneously turns to the same side as it was in utero as it realigns with the should and back (through a process call restitution). The head then turns farther to the side in external rotation as the shoulder internally rotate and are positioned with their transverse diameter in the anteroposterior diameter of the pelvic outlet. External rotation of the head accompanies internal rotation of the shoulders.

G. Explusion—Explusion occurs first as the anterior, then the posterior, should passes under the symphysis. After the shoulders are born, the rest of the body follows.