NORMAL LABOUR

(B) Caput succedaneum:It is a soft swelling of the most dependent part of the foetal head occurs inprolonged labour before full cervical dilatation and after rupture of themembranes.It is due to obstruction of the venous return from the lower part of the scalp bythe cervical ring.Large caput may:i) obscure the sutures and fontanelles making identification of theposition difficult. This can be overcomed by palpation of the ear ,ii) give an impression that the head is lower than its true level.Artificial caput succedaneum (chignon): is induced during vacuum extraction.Caput succedaneum disappears spontaneously within hours to days of birth.As it is a vital manifestation, so it is not detected in intrauterine foetal death.