Stages of Labor

1. Dilation of the cervix

2. Delivery of the fetus

3. Delivery of the placenta

List the three stages of labor

Begins with contractions and ends when the cervix is fully dilated

When does the first stage of labor begin and end?

1st stage

What stage of labor is usually the longest?

12-18 hrs, 6.5-13 hrs

In primigravida women, the first stage of labor lasts an average of _________, compared to an average duration of _________ for multigravida women.

Contractions, bloody show, water breaking

What are the signs that someone is going into labor?

False labor - Braxton-Hicks Contractions

• Contractions are not regular, don’t increase in intensity/frequency. Come and go.

• Pain/contractions start/stay in the lower abdomen

• Physical activity or change in position alleviates the pain/contractions

• Bloody show is brownish

• Leakage of fluid - urine

True labor

• Contractions consistently get stronger, closer together (last 30-60 secs)

• Pain and contractions start in the lower back and wrap around to the lower abdomen

• Physical activity intensifies the contractions. Change in position doesn’t alleviate the pain

• Bloody show is pink or red, accompanied by mucus

• Amniotic sac breaks

Lightning

Movement of the fetus down into the pelvis late in pregnancy (end of the third trimester)

Begins when the fetus enters the birth canal, ends with the delivery of the newborn

When does the second stage of labor begin and end?

Contractions become closer together and last longer

Pressure on the rectum makes the woman feel like she needs to defecate (perineum bulges)

What will the woman experience during the second stage of labor?

crowning

When the top of the fetus’s head begins to appear at the vaginal opening.

Begins with the birth of the newborn and ends with the delivery of the placenta (can take up to 30 mins)

When does the third stage of labor begin and end?