Which of the following indicates relationship of long axis of the foetus to that of mother?

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

Fetal lie is the correct term as it specifically defines the relationship between the long axis (spine) of the fetus and the long axis (spine) of the mother.
In over 99% of term pregnancies, the fetal lie is longitudinal, meaning the spines are parallel.
Other, less common lies include transverse (fetal spine is perpendicular to the maternal spine) and oblique (fetal spine is at an angle to the maternal spine).
An abnormal lie, such as transverse, can obstruct labor and often necessitates a Cesarean delivery.

Option B: Fetal presentation describes the part of the fetus that is lowest in the uterus and entering the birth canal, not the relationship of the long axes.
Option C: Fetal attitude refers to the posture of the fetus, specifically the degree of flexion or extension of its head and limbs.
Option D: Fetal position describes the relationship of a specific landmark on the presenting part (like the occiput or sacrum) to the mother's pelvis (e.g., anterior, posterior, left, or right).

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definitions of fetal orientation in obstetrics as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Determining fetal lie is a fundamental component of Leopold's maneuvers, a standard abdominal palpation method used in prenatal care to assess fetal position.
An abnormal lie, such as a transverse or oblique lie, is a critical finding. It can lead to obstructed labor, uterine rupture, or cord prolapse if not managed correctly, often requiring a Cesarean section for safe delivery.
What if? If a fetus is in a transverse lie late in pregnancy (e.g., at 37 weeks), a procedure called an External Cephalic Version (ECV) might be attempted to manually turn the fetus to a longitudinal lie to allow for a potential vaginal delivery.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of fundamental obstetric terminology.
First, carefully read the question to identify the key concept: the relationship between the 'long axis of the foetus' and the 'long axis of the mother'.
Next, review each option and recall its specific definition.
Fetal lie directly matches the definition in the question.
Differentiate this from 'presentation' (which part is first), 'attitude' (fetal posture), and 'position' (orientation in the pelvis) to confirm they are incorrect.
Select the term that precisely describes the alignment of the two spines.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QXxK9fbzn0Ivuqn0cOZCGj

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 46-54

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 19-36

Practise the full AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.