Pregnancy Milestones: The Rule of 4s
4 Weeks
Heart begins to beat. Foundation of nervous system formed.
8 Weeks
All body organs are present. The embryo is now a fetus.
12 Weeks
Fetal heart tones (FHT) can be heard via Doppler. Sex can be determined.
20 Weeks
Quickening (first fetal movement) is felt by the mother.
Stages of Labor
Stage 1: Dilation Stage
From onset of true labor to full cervical dilation (10cm).
Stage 2: Expulsion Stage
From full dilation to delivery of the baby.
Stage 3: Placental Stage
From delivery of baby to delivery of the placenta (usually 5-30 mins).
Stage 4: Recovery Stage
First 1-4 hours after delivery. Critical for monitoring postpartum hemorrhage.
💡 Beshy Nursing Tip!
Sa Board Exam, laging tinatanong ang APGAR Score. Tandaan: 7-10 is Normal, 4-6 is Fair, and 0-3 is Poor (needs immediate resuscitation!). Huwag kakalimutan i-assess sa 1 minute at 5 minutes after birth!
Beshy Tips
1. Stages of Labor 🤰
| Stage | What Happens | Nursing Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Stage (Dilation) | Onset of true labor to Full Dilation (10cm). Includes Latent, Active, Transition phases. | Monitor FHR, contractions, pain management. |
| 2nd Stage (Expulsion) | Full Dilation to Birth of Baby. | Coaching on pushing, newborn immediate care. |
| 3rd Stage (Placental) | Birth of Baby to Delivery of Placenta. | Check placenta completeness, prevent hemorrhage. |
| 4th Stage (Recovery) | First 1-2 hours after delivery. | Monitor VS, fundus, lochia. Watch for bleeding! |
2. EDD Calculation (Naegele's Rule) 📅
LMP - 3 months + 7 days + 1 year
Example: LMP is January 1, 2024
Jan 1 - 3 months = Oct 1 (previous year)
Oct 1 + 7 days = Oct 8
Add 1 year = October 8, 2024
3. APGAR Scoring (Newborn) 👶
Assess at 1 min and 5 mins. Score 0-2 for each.
- Appearance (Color): Blue/Pale (0), Body Pink/Ext Blue (1), All Pink (2)
- Pulse (Heart Rate): Absent (0), <100 (1), >100 (2)
- Grimace (Reflex): No response (0), Grimace (1), Cry (2)
- Activity (Muscle Tone): Flaccid (0), Some flexion (1), Active (2)
- Respiration: Absent (0), Slow/Irregular (1), Strong Cry (2)
Beshy Tips
1. Stages of Labor 🤰
| Stage | What Happens | Nursing Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Stage (Dilation) | Onset of true labor to Full Dilation (10cm). Includes Latent, Active, Transition phases. | Monitor FHR, contractions, pain management. |
| 2nd Stage (Expulsion) | Full Dilation to Birth of Baby. | Coaching on pushing, newborn immediate care. |
| 3rd Stage (Placental) | Birth of Baby to Delivery of Placenta. | Check placenta completeness, prevent hemorrhage. |
| 4th Stage (Recovery) | First 1-2 hours after delivery. | Monitor VS, fundus, lochia. Watch for bleeding! |
2. EDD Calculation (Naegele's Rule) 📅
LMP - 3 months + 7 days + 1 year
Example: LMP is January 1, 2024
Jan 1 - 3 months = Oct 1 (previous year)
Oct 1 + 7 days = Oct 8
Add 1 year = October 8, 2024
3. APGAR Scoring (Newborn) 👶
Assess at 1 min and 5 mins. Score 0-2 for each.
- Appearance (Color): Blue/Pale (0), Body Pink/Ext Blue (1), All Pink (2)
- Pulse (Heart Rate): Absent (0), <100 (1), >100 (2)
- Grimace (Reflex): No response (0), Grimace (1), Cry (2)
- Activity (Muscle Tone): Flaccid (0), Some flexion (1), Active (2)
- Respiration: Absent (0), Slow/Irregular (1), Strong Cry (2)
Beshy Tips
1. Stages of Labor 🤰
| Stage | What Happens | Nursing Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Stage (Dilation) | Onset of true labor to Full Dilation (10cm). Includes Latent, Active, Transition phases. | Monitor FHR, contractions, pain management. |
| 2nd Stage (Expulsion) | Full Dilation to Birth of Baby. | Coaching on pushing, newborn immediate care. |
| 3rd Stage (Placental) | Birth of Baby to Delivery of Placenta. | Check placenta completeness, prevent hemorrhage. |
| 4th Stage (Recovery) | First 1-2 hours after delivery. | Monitor VS, fundus, lochia. Watch for bleeding! |
2. EDD Calculation (Naegele's Rule) 📅
LMP - 3 months + 7 days + 1 year
Example: LMP is January 1, 2024
Jan 1 - 3 months = Oct 1 (previous year)
Oct 1 + 7 days = Oct 8
Add 1 year = October 8, 2024
3. APGAR Scoring (Newborn) 👶
Assess at 1 min and 5 mins. Score 0-2 for each.
- Appearance (Color): Blue/Pale (0), Body Pink/Ext Blue (1), All Pink (2)
- Pulse (Heart Rate): Absent (0), <100 (1), >100 (2)
- Grimace (Reflex): No response (0), Grimace (1), Cry (2)
- Activity (Muscle Tone): Flaccid (0), Some flexion (1), Active (2)
- Respiration: Absent (0), Slow/Irregular (1), Strong Cry (2)