E2 - Second Stage Labor Management: Promoting the Safety of the Mother and Fetus

Second stage labor creates increased risks to the mother and fetus due to increased frequency and strength of uterine contractions and increased risk of umbilical cord compression. The nurse must be knowledgeable of utero-placental physiology and electronic fetal monitor tracing interpretation to promote safety of the mother and fetus. Methods of pushing, effect of uterine activity on fetal oxygenation and signal ambiguity in the EFM tracing will be discussed using a case study format.