MECHANISM OF LABOUR.

Defintion.

√These are series of movements taken by the fetus as it negotiates or passes through the birth
canal.

√ ENGAGEMENT

This occurs wen the widest part of the presenting part enters the pelvic brim.

√ DESCENT

The foetus begins to descend into the pelvis due to force of gravity n downward pressure of the
contractions.

√ FLEXION

As the foetus descends the chin touches the chest n the attitude of flexion z adopted. As labour
progresses the vertex meets resistance on the cervical canal n the head is further flexed with
the occiput becoming the presenting part.

√ INTERNAL ROTATION OF THE HEAD.

As the occiput which is the leading part meets resistance on the pelvic floor muscles, it rotates
forward taking abt one eighth (1/8) of a circle along the left side of the pelvis towards the
symphsis pubis causing a twist in the neck of the foetus.

√ CROWNING.
Crowning occurs the occiput escapes under the symphsis pubis.the widest presenting part of
the fetal heard descends the vaginal introitus and the head no longer recedes between
contractions.

√ EXTENSION OF HEAD.

After crowning the head extends on the neck to facilitate the birth of the head. The
chin,forehead n face sweep over the perineum n the head is born by movement of extension.

√ RESTITUTION

This z the untwisting of the first in the foetal neck dat occurred during internal rotation of the
head.The occiput moves 1/8 of a circle back along the side of the pelvis from which it came b4
internal rotation of the head.

√ INTERNAL ROTATION OF THE SHOULDER..

The shoulders are at right angles with to the saggital suture.the anterior shoulder reaches the
pelvic floor muscles meets resistance and rotates anteriorly along the right side of the pelvis to
lie under the symphsis pubis.this movement occurs in the same direction as restitution.

√ EXTERNAL ROTATION OF THE HEAD.

Occurs at the same time as internal rotation of the shoulder teks place,There is external
rotation of the head. Wen the shoulder turns 1/8 of the circle the head also turns 1/8 of a circle
and the saggital suture of the fetal head lie in the transverse diameter of the maternal pelvis.

√ BIRTH OF THE SHOULDERS.

With further contractions, the anterior shoulder slips under the pubic arch while the posterior
shoulder sweeps the perineum n the shoulders are born by movement of lateral flexion.
√ DELIVERY OF THE REST OF THE BODY.

Once the shoulders are born the rest of the body is also delivered by movement of lateral
flexion.