What are some facts about charting in labor in delivery?

[Eeramsey, BSN, RN]

I am doing some clinical objectives about shadowing in labor and delivery for RN school. I need to talk about 5 things about the charting in labor in delivery. Any hints from those who work or have worked in labor and delivery? :)

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

You have to submit this before you start your shadowing? I'm sure you'll have plenty of ideas once you observe a day or two. I'm not an L&D nurse, but a few things I can think of unique to the area that may be included in charting... fetal heart tracing, contraction length/frequency, cervical dilation and effacement, epidurals, patient/support person education, birth plans, Apgar scores.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Requirement for frequency of charting depends on the individual patient and where she is in the labor process. Cervical ripening, vs. active labor, vs. pushing, plus things like Pitocin or MgSO4 infusion, will all change how frequently you need to chart on the patient.