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    Stages of Labor

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    Rosemae Literatos
    The document describes the four stages of labor: 1) the latent phase where cervical dilation begins and contractions are mild; 2) the active phase where contractions become stronger and more frequent leading to further dilation; 3) transition where cervical dilation is completed and contractions are most intense; and 4) the fourth stage from delivery of the placenta through the first few hours postpartum where the nurse assesses uterine contraction and bleeding.

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    Stages of Labor

    Uploaded by

    Rosemae Literatos
    231 views5 pages
    The document describes the four stages of labor: 1) the latent phase where cervical dilation begins and contractions are mild; 2) the active phase where contractions become stronger and more frequent leading to further dilation; 3) transition where cervical dilation is completed and contractions are most intense; and 4) the fourth stage from delivery of the placenta through the first few hours postpartum where the nurse assesses uterine contraction and bleeding.

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    The document describes the four stages of labor: 1) the latent phase where cervical dilation begins and contractions are mild; 2) the active phase where contractions become stronger and more frequent leading to further dilation; 3) transition where cervical dilation is completed and contractions are most intense; and 4) the fourth stage from delivery of the placenta through the first few hours postpartum where the nurse assesses uterine contraction and bleeding.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    231 views5 pages

    Stages of Labor

    Uploaded by

    Rosemae Literatos
    The document describes the four stages of labor: 1) the latent phase where cervical dilation begins and contractions are mild; 2) the active phase where contractions become stronger and more frequent leading to further dilation; 3) transition where cervical dilation is completed and contractions are most intense; and 4) the fourth stage from delivery of the placenta through the first few hours postpartum where the nurse assesses uterine contraction and bleeding.

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    Latent Phase

    This first phase of the first stage of labor is called the latent phase, but can also be referred to as
    early labor, or just simply the first stage of labor. During this phase. your cervix will start dilating
    and you will be having contractions, and they are normally not painful and you are able to move
    around, talk, laugh and function through them as normal.

    Some women, who want a more natural labor and delivery (and who choose to refrain from using
    pain relief), will choose to stay home during this first stage of labor where they are
    more comfortable and surrounded by familiar things. As long as their water has not broken, they
    may choose to take baths or showers, light candles, play music, or just sit and talk to their partner
    while they time contractions.

    This phase of labor can last on average 8 hours, although it can also last much longer, or end
    much sooner. Your contractions will come between 5 and 20 minutes apart and generally last
    about 30-45 seconds. You should not be in a lot of pain during this first phase, or too
    uncomfortable. This phase ends about the time a woman reaches 3 centimeters dilated, which is
    when the contractions become more frequent and more intense.

    Active Phase
    This second phase of the first stage of labor results in your cervix dialating from 4-7 centimeters,
    and during this phase, your contractions will normally come between 2-5 minutes apart, and last
    up to a minute in duration. You will also start to feel much more discomfort and possibly more
    pain as the contractions become more intense as they help to push the baby down through your
    cervix. If they have not ruptured yet, this phase is the most common time for your membranes to
    finally rupture. The active phase can last an average of 3-4 hours, but can go on longer, or end
    sooner, depending on your body and your labor.

    Transition Phase
    The third and last phase of the first stage of labor results in your cervix dilating between 8 and 10
    centimeters, and is the phase where your pain will be at its worst. During this time your
    contractions will seem to be coming one right on top of the other, and may last up to two minutes
    each in duration. During this stage the contractions are pushing your baby further down through
    the cervix, allowing his head to enter the vagina to prepare for birth. This stage normally lasts
    between 10 minutes and an hour.
    a. Hospital Admission. After a physician or nurse has evaluated the patient, an admission order
    is written. At this point, your duties as a practical nurse are as follows:

    (1) Establish a rapport with the patient and significant others.

    (2) Explain all procedures or routines, which will be carried out prior to performing them.

    (3) Orient the patient to the surroundings (that is, room, call bell).

    (4) Initiate the patient's labor chart.

    (5) Review the information obtained originally in the exam room, verify and transfer the OB health
    record to the labor chart per ward policies.

    (6) Evaluate the patient's current emotional status.

    (7) Evaluate the patient's preparation for labor through classes.

    (8) Evaluate for possible danger signs.

    b. Perineal Preparation. Shaving of pubic hair to prevent infection of perineal


    episiotomy/lacerations is rarely done anymore. There must be a physician's order to perform this
    task.

    c. Cleansing Enema.

    d. Evaluation of Uterine Contractions Continued.


    Stage two is the pushing of the baby out of your uterus through your vagina. Most women will find

    that they have a second round of strength as they begin pushing their baby. The contractions

    normally slow down giving a woman more time to catch her breath in between contractions. This

    stage can end relatively quickly, or can take several hours, depending on the position and size of

    the baby.
    After the baby is born, the placenta should naturally detach from the uterine wall, following

    the baby out of the birth canal. The doctor will check the placenta for tears or problems that could

    lead to your uterus not contracting properly after the baby is born. It is important that your uterus

    contracts properly so that it can slow your bleeding and heal the area where the placenta was

    attached.

    • Do not hurry the expulsion of the placenta. This usually takes around 20 minutes.
    • Tract cord slowly.
    • Inspect for missing cotyledons. There should be 30.
    • Palpate the uterus.
    • Inject oxytocin.
    • Inspect the perineum.
    • Put down the legs of the mother together to prevent injury.
    • The mother should be flat on bed without pillows for 6 hours.
    • If the client is experiencing chills, provide her with a blanket and NOT soup.
    • Provide additional nourishment.
    • Allow the mother to sleep to regain her strength
    The fourth stage of labor is the most critical stage. This lasts from the delivery of the placenta through the

    first 1-4 hours after birth. The nurse should assess the fundus, blood pressure and pulse rate, the lochia

    which should be moderate in flow, and the perineum. If the flow of the lochia is heavy the mother should be

    checked for lacerations and rechecked for retained placental fragments.

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