help with cardinal movements!

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Hi all!

i figured I'd go to the experts here with this one..

I am a nursing student and for some reason I can NOT get the cardinal movements and presentations into my head.

When I think LOA, I see the back of the baby's head towards mom's left, with the face going forward/toward the right. Am I right?

Also, the cardinal movements--Every Darn Fool In Rotterdam Eats Rotten Egg Rolls Every Day just isn't doing it.

Can anyone explain this so it makes sense?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in CV Surgery Step-down.

How 'bout a good old fashioned baby doll with a soft body? I'm pretty visual, so having the doll in front of me and moving it into the proper position really helped me!

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Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).

I've never heard the one you mentioned, but we always use this:

Every Darn Fool In Egypt Really Eats Eggs...

Engagement

Descent

Flexion

Internal Rotation

Extension

Restitution

External Rotation

Expulsion

Some instructors include restitution in the cardinal movements, some do not, I have included it in this example.

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The instructor actually held a doll up against her stomach as she went over (and over!) the whole sequence. It makes sense but I can't get it to stick in my mind! The kinds of questions we are to expect on the test are like "Which cardinal movement involves...this or that" or whatever. ITs like, I cant just put it together. :(

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
The instructor actually held a doll up against her stomach as she went over (and over!) the whole sequence. It makes sense but I can't get it to stick in my mind! The kinds of questions we are to expect on the test are like "Which cardinal movement involves...this or that" or whatever. ITs like, I cant just put it together. :(

Try to slow your mind down and lose that panicky feeling.

THEN... just put yourself in the BABY's "shoes" (hehehe!) and attempt to figure out if YOU were in there, just what would you have to do to come out? What positions would you have to assume in order to best get yourself out of that narrow place? Think it through, how you'd best get out of there.

Try that, see if it helps. One step at a time. :)

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Specializes in Case Management.
The instructor actually held a doll up against her stomach as she went over (and over!) the whole sequence. It makes sense but I can't get it to stick in my mind! The kinds of questions we are to expect on the test are like "Which cardinal movement involves...this or that" or whatever. ITs like, I cant just put it together. :(

Wow! I just had a really bad flashback to maternity finals!

I am so glad I don't have to know that anymore. :rotfl:

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Well, can't help you with the cardinal movements without you being in front of me for a demo.....

But, I can help you with position. Instead of thinking of the position of the baby's occiput in relation to mom's body - think of his spine in relation to mom's body. If the baby is LOP: the baby's spine (is in the posterior portion of Mom's body) is resting just off to the left, alongside mother's spine. Now picture this head emerging, when he comes out he is looking at the ceiling and mother's right thigh.

To contrast, LOA: Baby's spine is resting away (anterior portion of Mom) from mother's spine, he's tipped in the left portion. When this baby comes out, his face is looking at the floor and mother's right thigh.

Like other posters said, get a soft doll and practice with it for the movements and postions. Good luck, SG

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Try to slow your mind down and lose that panicky feeling.

THEN... just put yourself in the BABY's "shoes" (hehehe!) and attempt to figure out if YOU were in there, just what would you have to do to come out? What positions would you have to assume in order to best get yourself out of that narrow place? Think it through, how you'd best get out of there.

Try that, see if it helps. One step at a time. :)

thank you! I am sorry I didn't answer sooner--had that darn test yesterday lol.

I actually did what you said, complete with a bit of squirming around in my seat as I tried to move thru the movements without being too obvious, and it really helped! :)

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Well, can't help you with the cardinal movements without you being in front of me for a demo.....

But, I can help you with position. Instead of thinking of the position of the baby's occiput in relation to mom's body - think of his spine in relation to mom's body. If the baby is LOP: the baby's spine (is in the posterior portion of Mom's body) is resting just off to the left, alongside mother's spine. Now picture this head emerging, when he comes out he is looking at the ceiling and mother's right thigh.

To contrast, LOA: Baby's spine is resting away (anterior portion of Mom) from mother's spine, he's tipped in the left portion. When this baby comes out, his face is looking at the floor and mother's right thigh.

Like other posters said, get a soft doll and practice with it for the movements and postions. Good luck, SG

Thank you! There was only one question on position and it was an easy one--what is the most common position, which I memorized as LOA. However, that was just the unit test, and the final is on 10/24 so I will definitely use your advice and remember the spine. I think its more I have to remember that its MOM--BABY--MOM as far as position. I am probably going to work in perinatal care, I have GOT to figure this out lol.

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Wow! I just had a really bad flashback to maternity finals!

I am so glad I don't have to know that anymore. :rotfl:

Oh Lucky you lol. I had my unit test on Wed 10/19 and the final is on Mon 10/24. :)

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I am so ashamed to say: I can't remember those movements. I have 8 years' OB experience, and I could not recite those if my life depended on it. I do remember nursing school requiring this now.....but that info is not retained by me. I just know whether baby is OA/OP or OT and which way (right left) etc. That is all I really pay attention to and remember rofl.

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I am so ashamed to say: I can't remember those movements. I have 8 years' OB experience, and I could not recite those if my life depended on it. I do remember nursing school requiring this now.....but that info is not retained by me. I just know whether baby is OA/OP or OT and which way (right left) etc. That is all I really pay attention to and remember rofl.

Don't be ashamed! It actually makes me feel better to hear you say that! They drum so much into our heads in school, and we have to study so much stuff, I have worried about how I will remember it all. Its good to know that even the experienced nurses forget stuff now and then. I will be in good company. :)

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