CHAPTER 14 Women’s Health^523
HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Bloody show which is the mucous plug, expelled from the vagina
- Rupture of membranes, which releases amniotic fluid (commonly referred to
as water breaking)
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- CBC to assess any anemia.
- Blood typing.
- Rh factor.
- Urinalysis to look for protein and glucose.
TREATMENTS
- Some medications may be administered to stimulate uterine contractions:
- oxytocin
- prostaglandins
- Pain medications may be administered, but always with the safety of the fetus
in mind. The risk versus the benefit must be weighed. - Analgesia and sedation:
- stadol
- butorphanol
- meperidine
- fentanyl
- nalbuphine
- General anesthesia:
- nitrous Oxide inhalation
- Regional anesthesia:
- pudendal block
- paracervical block
- spinal block