Question 1

Which of the following is a consequence of limiting mobility during labor?

Accepted Answer

A) Reduced contraction strength and effectiveness 
B) Decreased pain 
C) Shorter labor 
D) A greater sense of control over the birth process

Question 2

The third stage of labor can best be categorized as:

Accepted Answer

A) The early phase of labor 
B) Delivery of the placenta 
C) The birth of the baby 
D) A strengthening of contractions

Question 3

Narcotic pain relievers have all of the following effects on birth EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A) "Taking the edge off" the pain 
B) Helping mothers to focus 
C) Slowing labor 
D) Depressing the central nervous system

Question 4

What is the BEST definition of Kegel exercises?

Accepted Answer

A) Contracting and releasing the pelvic floor muscles in various patterns to strengthen and tone 
B) A yoga position for pregnancy 
C) Tilting the pelvis so stretch and strengthen the lower back 
D) Sitting cross-legged to stretch the pelvis and thighs

Question 5

It is important a woman relax which muscles when pushing?

Accepted Answer

A) Biceps 
B) Pelvic floor muscles 
C) Quadriceps 
D) Facial

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT something a doula might suggest for optimal fetal positioning?

Accepted Answer

A) The mother should practice good posture during pregnancy. 
B) The mother should be conscious of balance and shifts in her center of gravity. 
C) A mother should keep her knees higher than her hips when sitting during pregnancy and labor. 
D) A mother should wash the floor on her hands and knees during pregnancy.

Question 7

A client telephones her doula to say she is in labor and is having some contractions. The client is at 37 weeks' gestation. Which of the following signs indicates that the client is in true labor?

Accepted Answer

A) Contractions are initially felt in lower back and then sweep around to the abdomen in a wave. 
B) The contractions are relieved with ambulation and sleep. 
C) The contractions do not achieve cervical dilatation. 
D) The contractions remain irregular.

Question 8

Dilation as it applies to labor and birth can BEST be defined as:

Accepted Answer

A) Thinning of the cervix 
B) The position of the fetus in relation to the ischial spines 
C) Artificially rupturing the amniotic sac 
D) Opening of the cervix

Question 9

All of the following are hallmarks of the first stage of labor EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A) The cervix opens from 0 cm to 10 cm. 
B) The cervix thins from 0% to 100%. 
C) The baby is born. 
D) The contractions get longer, stronger and closer together over time.

Question 10

Which of the following BEST describes "station" as it applies to pregnancy, labor, and birth?

Accepted Answer

A) The mother's birth history 
B) The direction of the baby's head in relation to the cervix 
C) The direction the baby's head in relation to the front or back of the mother's pelvis 
D) The location of the top of baby's head in relation to the ischial spines of the pelvis

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT true about a baby in breech presentation?

Accepted Answer

A) The baby cannot be born vaginally. 
B) The mother may need a Caesarean delivery. 
C) The care provider may try to manually turn the baby before labor. 
D) The baby is at increased risk for oxygen deprivation during birth.

Question 12

What is the definition of placenta previa?

Accepted Answer

A) A condition where the placenta grows through the uterine wall 
B) A condition where the placenta is implanted low in the uterus, sometimes covering the cervix 
C) A condition where the placenta begins to detach from the uterine wall before the birth of the baby 
D) When the umbilical cord enters the birth canal ahead of the baby

Question 13

A client asks her doula how she will know when she is really in labor. The doula's BEST response is:

Accepted Answer

A) "If you lose your mucous plug, labor is starting." 
B) "The only way to truly know you are in labor is if you have contractions that get progressively longer, stronger, and closer together." 
C) "If you are nesting, it's time for birth." 
D) "If your doctor or midwife tells you you've started to dilate, labor will start almost immediately."

Question 14

Which of the following BEST describes the phrase "cascade of interventions"?

Accepted Answer

A) A chain of events that have unintended effects on the natural progression of labor 
B) A sudden gush of amniotic fluid 
C) Any intervention done without medical indication 
D) The result of pharmacological pain management in labor

Question 15

A client's healthcare provider is about to perform an amniotomy on a client who is in the active phase of labor. Before the procedure, the doula counsels the client that after the amniotomy, she can expect:

Accepted Answer

A) Increased efficiency of uterine contractions 
B) Increased number of uterine contractions 
C) A fluttery feeling in the chest 
D) Decreased number of uterine contractions

Question 16

Which of the following BEST describes the second stage of labor?

Accepted Answer

A) Dilation and effacement of the cervix 
B) Pre-labor contractions 
C) Delivery of the placenta 
D) Pushing and delivery of the baby

Question 17

Risks of epidural anesthesia include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A) Maternal fever 
B) Increased length of labor 
C) Increased blood pressure 
D) Inefficient pushing

Question 18

A laboring mother has an internal exam and it reveals her cervix is fully dilated. The caregiver tells her it is time to begin pushing. She says she feels like she needs to have a bowel movement, and she is grunting and groaning during contractions. What is the BEST way for the doula to help?

Accepted Answer

A) Encourage the mother to find a comfortable position, then take a breath and exhale while pushing several times during each contraction, then rest between contractions. 
B) Support her in continuing what she is already doing. 
C) Tell the woman she will need to get into a semi-reclining position on the birthing bed. 
D) Instruct the woman to hold her breath and push to the count of ten several times with each contraction.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a technique a doula might suggest so a mother can avoid having an episiotomy?

Accepted Answer

A) Use upright positions such as squatting or kneeling 
B) Practice exhaling while pushing, or spontaneously working with the body's contractions while bearing down 
C) Teaching the partner to do perineal support while the mother is pushing 
D) Holding her breath and pushing to the count of 10 several times during each contraction

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT associated with labor induction?

Accepted Answer

A) Increased risk of Caesarean birth 
B) Increased chance of fetal distress 
C) Having a quick vaginal birth 
D) Increased risk of assisted delivery

Exam 3: Labor Birth