Question

4. List and describe the phases of contractions. 5. When do the signs and symptoms of impending labor begin? 6. During late pregnancy, what are the general guidelines regarding when the woman should be instructed to go to the hosspital? 7. What is the key distinction between true labor and false labor?

Answer 1

4).

Parturition or childbirth (labor) is the process of expulsion of the fetus out from the womb through the vagina. Several hormonal changes occur during this period that prepares the mother for parturition.

The cervical dilatation also stimulates the release of oxytocin (from the posterior pituitary) by a reflex mechanism.

The following are the three stages of labor.

Stage 1: This is the stage of cervical dilatation, the membranes rupture and regular contractions begin. The cervix dilates up to 10 cm. The stage I is divided into three phases. They are,

Phase I (latent phase): The frequency of contractions is high, occur at regular intervals and stronger. Its duration can be 10 hours to 20 hours.

Phase II (active phase): The cervical dilation occurs rapidly during this stage. It can range from 2-5 hours

Phase III (transition phase): The dilation of cervix continues and reach the full dilation. During this stage, the fetus enters into the lower pelvic region, which causes a strong stimulus of nausea, vomiting, and tremors.

Stage 2: Maximal cervical dilatation and delivery occur during this phase.

Stage 3: This stage begins after childbirth and ends with the expulsion of the placenta, amniotic sac, and umbilical cord, which together known as “afterbirth.” After “afterbirth,” bleeding is controlled, the blood vessels close off due to the uterine muscle contraction.