Labor And Normal Delivery Flashcards
First stage: Dialation
The first stage of labor is from the beginning of the true labor (contractions) to complete cervical dialation (fully dilated at 10cm)
Braxton Hicks contractions- often referred to as false labor, are painless, short duration, irregular contractions that may occur as early as the 13th week of gestation. Thought to be conditioning process for uterus to endure actual labor
Second stage: expulsion
The 2nd stage of labor begins with complete cervical dilation 10cm and ends with delivery of the baby. Infant moves through vagina and is born.
Contractions are 2-3 minutes apart lasting 60-90 seconds
The perineum area between vagina and anus bulges significantly.
Infants head appears at opening of vagina. Crowning.
Third stage: placental
The 3rd of labor begins following the delivery of the baby and ends with the expulsion of the placenta
During this stage the placenta separates from the uterine wall and is expelled from the uterus. The placenta is usually delivered 5-20 min after the birth.
