In
obstetrics
Obstetrics is the field of study concentrated on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. As a medical specialty, obstetrics is combined with gynecology under the discipline known as obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), which is a surg ...
, the term flexion point refers to a spot on the fetal head on which the cup of a
ventouse
Vacuum extraction (VE), also known as ventouse, is a method to assist delivery of a baby using a vacuum device. It is used in the second stage of labor if it has not progressed adequately. It may be an alternative to a forceps delivery and caes ...
should to be placed for extraction of the child to be most effective.
When the cup of the ventouse is applied on the flexion point, the fetal head will remain flexed under traction, hence the name ''flexion point''.
Location
The flexion point is located on the
sagittal suture
The sagittal suture, also known as the interparietal suture and the ''sutura interparietalis'', is a dense, fibrous connective tissue joint between the two parietal bones of the skull. The term is derived from the Latin word ''sagitta'', mean ...
, 3 cm (about 1 inch) forward of the
posterior fontanelle
The posterior fontanelle (lambdoid fontanelle, occipital fontanelle) is a gap between bones in the human skull (known as fontanelle), triangular in form and situated at the junction of the sagittal suture and lambdoidal suture. It generally close ...
.
Finding the flexion point
* Use the middle finger to identify the
posterior fontanelle
The posterior fontanelle (lambdoid fontanelle, occipital fontanelle) is a gap between bones in the human skull (known as fontanelle), triangular in form and situated at the junction of the sagittal suture and lambdoidal suture. It generally close ...
, then move the finger forward along the
sagittal suture
The sagittal suture, also known as the interparietal suture and the ''sutura interparietalis'', is a dense, fibrous connective tissue joint between the two parietal bones of the skull. The term is derived from the Latin word ''sagitta'', mean ...
approximately 3 cm / 1 inch.
* With the finger on the flexion point and palmar surface in a superior direction, note where the back of the finger makes contact with the fourchette (this is used to determine how far the
ventouse
Vacuum extraction (VE), also known as ventouse, is a method to assist delivery of a baby using a vacuum device. It is used in the second stage of labor if it has not progressed adequately. It may be an alternative to a forceps delivery and caes ...
cup must be inserted).
[{{Cite web, url=http://www.fairview.org/static/Vacuum-assited%20delivery%20improving%20patient%20outcomes%20and%20protecting%20yourself%20against%20litigation_1_latest_c_584900.pdf, title=VACUUM-ASSISTED DELIVERY Practical techniques to improve patient outcomes, author=Aldo Vacca, MD, url-status=dead, access-date=2009-12-16, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922084347/http://fairview.org/static/Vacuum-assited%20delivery%20improving%20patient%20outcomes%20and%20protecting%20yourself%20against%20litigation_1_latest_c_584900.pdf, archive-date=2010-09-22]
References
Obstetrics