labor phase/ stages Flashcards
Premonitory signs of labor/ Signs of Impending labor
Lightening Braxton Hicks contractions Increased energy level (nesting) Cervical softening and effacement Rupture of membranes Increased vaginal discharge Weight loss
Name of First stage
Dilation
Acronym for first stage
FLAT
3 phases of the first stage
Latent
Active
Transitional
Latent phase
The latent phase is the beginning of labor contractions and the cervix may be dilated 0 to 3 centimeters.
mild contractions lasting 20 to 40 seconds with a frequency of 3 to 30 minutes.
woman may be relieved that labor has finally started
woman feels able to cope with the discomfort.
woman is often talkative and smiling and is eager to talk about herself and answer questions
Active phase
the cervix dilates from about 4 to 7 cm.
her anxiety tends to increase as she senses the intensification of contractions and pain.
Transition phase
begins with 8 cm to 10 cm of dilation
contractions have a frequency of 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, a duration of 60 to 90 seconds, and are strong in intensity
When the woman enters the transition phase, she may demonstrate significant anxiety.
She becomes acutely aware of the increasing force and intensity of the contractions.
She may become restless, frequently changing position
Name of Second labor stage
Pushing
When does the second stage of labor occur?
begins when the cervix is fully dilated and ends with the birth of the baby.
Second stage — expulsion of fetus (30 minutes to 2 hours)
Phases of the second/pushing stage
Latent phase
Active phase
Latent phase
Fetal station 0 to +2
Passive fetal descent
Urge to bear down is not string and may only occur at the peak of contractions
Maternal behavior: relaxed. May sleep or rest in between contractions
Active (pushing) phase:
Fetus descends +2 to +4. The Ferguson reflex is activated when the fetus descends, causing the urge to push.
Strong contraction every 1 to 3 minutes
Maternal behaviors: sense of urgency, may push voluntarily or involuntarily. Vocalizations may change form quite to loud with coinciding contractions
Third stage of labor name
Placental Expulsion ( 5 to 30 minutes)
Third Stage of labor
begins with the birth of the baby and ends with the complete expulsion of the placenta
uterine inversion occurs during the third stage of labor.
Fourth stage of labor name
Restorative