Labour_Stage_1_Flashcards
How is labour divided?
Labour is divided into three stages: Stage 1 (from onset of true labour to full cervical dilation), Stage 2 (from full dilation to delivery of the fetus), Stage 3 (from delivery of the fetus to complete delivery of the placenta and membranes).
What is Stage 1 of labour?
Stage 1 is from the onset of true labour to when the cervix is fully dilated.
How long does Stage 1 typically last for a primigravida?
Typically lasts 10-16 hours.
What are the phases of Stage 1 of labour?
Latent phase (0-3 cm dilation, normally takes 6 hours), Active phase (3-10 cm dilation, normally 1 cm/hr).
What is the latent phase of Stage 1 of labour?
0-3 cm dilation, normally takes 6 hours.
What is the active phase of Stage 1 of labour?
3-10 cm dilation, normally progresses at 1 cm/hr.
What is the common presentation of babies during labour?
90% of babies are vertex.
What is the typical position of the head as it enters the pelvis?
The head enters the pelvis in the occipito-lateral position.
What is the typical position of the head during delivery?
The head normally delivers in the occipito-anterior position.
summarise Labour: stage 1
Labour: stage 1
Labour may be divided in to three stages
stage 1: from the onset of true labour to when the cervix is fully dilated
stage 2: from full dilation to delivery of the fetus
stage 3: from delivery of fetus to when the placenta and membranes have been completely delivered
Stage 1 - from the onset of true labour to when the cervix is fully dilated. In a primigravida lasts typical 10-16 hours
latent phase = 0-3 cm dilation, normally takes 6 hours
active phase = 3-10 cm dilation, normally 1cm/hr
Presentation
90% of babies are vertex
Head enters pelvis in occipito-lateral position. The head normally delivers in an occipito-anterior position.
A 27-year-old woman who is 40-weeks pregnant arrives in the labour suite with irregular contractions. Earlier today she noticed a mucous plug in her pants at home.
On examination, she is breathing hard and obviously in some discomfort. The cardiotocography is normal and progressing well. On vaginal examination, her cervix is estimated to be 2cm dilated.
What stage of labour is she in?
3rd stage
Active 1st stage
Active 2nd stage
Latent 1st stage
Latent 2nd stage
Latent 1st stage
1st stage of labour
latent phase = 0-3 cm dilation
active phase = 3-10 cm dilation
Important for meLess important
Latent 1st stage is the correct option because she is almost certainly in labour with her cervix just beginning to ripen and dilate. This is the latent 1st stage because the cervix is between 0 and 3cm dilated.
Active 1st stage is incorrect, because the cervix is between 3-10cm in this stage and the contraction starts to become more regular.
Active 2nd stage is an incorrect answer because this is not a descriptive stage of labour, due to their being only a general 2nd stage which culminates with the expulsion of the foetus.
Latent 2nd stage is incorrect as this is not a stage which exists. The 2nd stage is described as the process of the infant being delivered.
3rd stage is incorrect as this is the stage when the placenta is expelled.
A 27-year-old G2P1 woman is admitted to the maternity ward following the onset of regular contractions. The midwife performs a vaginal examination and confirms that the mother is in the first stage of labour.
At what point does this stage of labour finish?
10 cm cervical dilation
4cm cervical dilatation
6cm cervical dilation
Birth of foetus
Complete engagement of the foetus
10 cm cervical dilation
1st stage of labour: from the onset of true labour to when the cervix is fully dilated
Labour is split into three different stages, the first of which involves the onset of regular contractions and gradual dilation of the cervix. This stage ends once at 10cm cervical dilation when the cervix is considered fully effaced.
4cm cervical dilatation occurs during the first stage of labour. However, this stage does not end until dilatation reaches 10cm, so this is not the correct answer.
6cm cervical dilation occurs during the first stage of labour, which doesn’t finish until cervical dilation reaches 10cm. Therefore this is not the correct answer.
The birth of the foetus defines the end of the second stage of labour, not the first.
Complete engagement of the foetus is not used when defining the first stage of labour, is therefore incorrect.
