Silliman University

COLLEGE OF NURSING

RESOURCE UNIT ON THE NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES OF

THE NURSE IN RELATION TO THE MECHANISMS
OF LABOR

Submitted to: Asst. Prof. Maria Theresa C. Belcina Jr, RN, MN, JD, PhD

Prepared by: Ryan Robert V. Ventolero, S.N.

Topic: Nursing Responsibilities of the Nurse in Relation to the Mechanisms of Labor
Topic Description: This topic deals with the nurses’ responsibilities with regards to the mechanisms of labor in normal cephalic
delivery through the vagina.
Central Objectives: At the end of the discussion, the students will be able to define the term mechanism of labor, second stage of
labor, and the cardinal movements and understand the differences of each. The students will also have the knowledge on the nursing
responsibilities during the mechanisms of labor.
Specific Objectives Content T.A. T-L Evaluation Method
Activities
At the end of the
discussion, the
students will:

Define satisfactorily A. Definition of Terms 2 mins PowerPoint Open Forum

mechanism of labor, a. Mechanism of Labor- According to Birat presentation
and second stage of Health College (2019), the series of
labor movements that occur on the head in the
process of adaptation during its journey
through the pelvis.
b. Second Stage of Labor- Nidhin (2015)
stated that it begins when the cervix is fully
dilated and the woman feels the urge to
expel the baby; Expulsion of the fetus.

Distinguish descent, B. Cardinal Movements 6 mins

flexion, internal a) Descent- Foley & Pillitteri (2010) vouched
rotation, extension, that it is the downward movement of the
external rotation, and biparietal diameter of the fetal head to
expulsion. within the pelvic inlet.
c. Flexion- According to Geeky Medics
(2018), fetal head comes into contact with
the pelvic floor, cervical flexion occurs.
d. Internal Rotation- Geeky Medics (2018)
 stated that fetal head rotates from a left or
right occipito-transverse position to an
occipito-anterior position.
e. Extension- Geeky Medics (2018) also
stated that occiput slips beneath the
suprapubic arch as the head extends and
the nape is pivoting against the arch.
f. External Rotation- Foley & Pillitteri
(2010) stated immediately after the fetal
head is born, the head then rotates back to
the diagonal or transverse position of the
early part of labor.
g. Expulsion- Foley & Pillitteri (2010)
vouched that when the shoulders are born,
the rest of the baby is born easily and
smoothly because of its smaller size.

C. Nursing Responsibilities during the second

Know the nursing stage of labor. 7 mins
responsibilities during
the second stage of Tabangcora (2016) & RegisteredNurseRN (2017)
labor. enumerated:
a. The patient should be taught on quality
pushing (when and how to push)
b. A quiet environment for the patient should
be provided to concentrate on bearing
down.
c. The patient should be assisted in high or
semi fowler’s or lithotomy position
d. Provide positive feedback as the patient
pushes.
 e. During the delivery stage, the mother’s
attention is directed towards the delivery.
In this case, the nurse should repeat the
instructions made by the physician.
f. Record exact time of delivery then proceed
to initiate newborn care.
g. Monitor vital signs and fetal heart rate.
h. Assist in restrictive episiotomy for patients
who had vaginal births.

SCENARIO: A 26-year-old primigravida is

admitted at the birthing room. Her husband is an
Apply the nursing Overseas Filipino Worker, and she has no family 5 mins Present a
responsibilities of the member with her as of the moment. clinical
nurse in relation to scenario
mechanisms of labor. emphasizing
the nursing
responsibilities
during the
second stage of
labor.

REFERENCES:
Birat Health College, Purwanchal University, Nepal. 2019. “Mechanism of Labour.” SlideShare. January 13, 2019.

https://www.slideshare.net/MrsHeeraKCParajuli/mechanism-of-labour-127882457.

Chambers, Josh, Faye Alabdulghafoor·Obstetrics, and Gynaecology. 2018. “Mechanism of Labour - OSCE Guide.” Geeky Medics.

September 5, 2018. https://geekymedics.com/mechanism-of-labour/.

Foley, Maryann, and Adele Pillitteri. 2010. Study Guide to Accompany Maternal & Child Health Nursing : Care of the Childbearing

& Childrearing Family. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Nidhin, Drisya. 2015. “NURSING MANAGEMENT OF SECOND STAGE OF LABOUR.” SlideShare. July 30, 2015.

https://www.slideshare.net/drisyavr1/nursing-management-of-second-stage-of-labour.

Pillitteri, Adele. 2007. Maternal & Child Health Nursing : Care of the Childbearing & Childrearing Family. Philadelphia, Pa:

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

RegisteredNurseRN. 2017. “Stages of Labor Nursing OB for Nursing Students | Stages of Labour NCLEX Explained Video Lecture.”

YouTube Video. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMmbpbpmDes&t=697s.

Tabangcora, Iris Dawn. 2016. “Stages of Labor: Nursing Care Tips for Various Stages.” Nurseslabs. June 20, 2016.

https://nurseslabs.com/stages-of-labor/.