7 Trays in Labour Room: Essential Checklist and Uses: Fast-Track Guide to Understanding and Setting Up Labour Room Trays

The "7 trays in labour room" is a crucial checklist used in hospitals to ensure quick, efficient, and safe obstetric care. Each tray is dedicated to a specific function to support mothers and healthcare providers during labor and delivery. Here’s a breakdown of each tray, their essential contents, and their uses—this information is important for medical students, practitioners, and anyone interested in obstetric protocols.

1. Delivery Tray

Contains: Forceps, scissors, gauze, cotton swabs, cord clamp, perineal repair instruments.

Use: Assists in normal vaginal delivery, cutting the umbilical cord, and repairing perineal tears.

2. Episiotomy Tray

Contains: Episiotomy scissors, artery forceps, needle and suture material, antiseptic solution.

Use: For making and suturing an episiotomy incision to enlarge the vaginal opening when needed.

3. Suturing Tray

Contains: Needle holder, sutures, scissors, sterilized gauze and forceps.

Use: Repairs lacerations resulting from delivery.

4. Catheterization Tray

Contains: Sterile catheter, lubricant, gloves, container, swabs.

Use: Relieves urinary retention in laboring mothers when necessary.

5. Resuscitation Tray

Contains: Ambu bag, masks, suction apparatus, oxygen tubing.

Use: Immediate newborn resuscitation and support for distressed babies.

6. IV Line Tray

Contains: Intravenous cannulas, syringes, saline, spirit swabs, tape.

Use: Setting up IV lines to administer fluids, medications, or for transfusion purposes.

7. Instrument Tray

Contains: General surgical instruments for emergency procedures or complications.

Use: Supports interventions such as manual removal of placenta or management of postpartum hemorrhage.

From a designer’s perspective, arranging these trays for maximum accessibility, adherence to infection control, and ease of workflow is vital. The home designer approach encourages modular tray stations, ergonomic placement, and specialized storage to enhance labour room efficiency and safety.

Tips 1:

When organizing the seven trays, ensure clear labeling and color-coded systems for each function—this aids quick identification and reduces errors during critical moments.

FAQ

Q: Why are there exactly 7 trays in most labour rooms?

A: It covers all essential procedures in obstetric care, streamlines workflow, and minimizes missing supplies during emergencies.

Q: How often should the contents of the trays be restocked?

A: Trays should be checked and restocked after each use; daily checks ensure readiness for emergencies.

Q: What is included in the resuscitation tray for newborns?

A: Ambu bag, face masks, suction catheter, and oxygen supply for immediate life support.

Q: Can tray organization impact patient safety?

A: Yes—well-arranged trays cut down response time and reduce the risk of infection or procedural errors.

Q: Are these trays standardized worldwide?

A: Basic principles are similar, but contents and protocols may vary by hospital, region, or country guidelines.