Stages of labour
see p. 95
What you need to know •
The three stages of labour and what happens at each stage.
Labour has three stages. Stage 2 is when the baby is born.
Three stages of labour
Finishes when the cervix is fully dilated (around 10 cm)
•
Contractions are regular – usually two to three minutes apart and more intense
•
Woman pushes to move baby down the birth canal
•
Baby’s head is visible in the birth canal (crowning)
•
Baby is born – usally head first
•
Contractions continue
•
Umbilical cord is cut
•
The mother may be given an injection of synthetic oxytocin to help her deliver the placenta more quickly and to prevent heavy bleeding
R
Stage 3 Delivery of placenta
Contractions are five to ten minutes apart
A
Stage 2 Birth
Cervix softens and slowly dilates (opens)
FT
• Stage 1 Neck of the • uterus opens •
Placenta detaches from the uterus and exits through the vagina.
D
•
Practise it!
Remember it!
1
•
Stage 1: neck of the uterus opens, cervix dilates.
•
Stage 2: baby is born.
•
Stage 3: placenta is delivered.
2
Outline one sign that labour has started.
(2 marks)
Briefly explain what happens in stage 3 of labour.
(2 marks)
Revision Guide
47
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