Question

The nursing instructor asks a student about the different stages of labor. Which statement by the student indicates effective learning?

1) There is no abnormal bleeding in the first stage of labor.
2) The placenta is delivered in the fourth stage of labor after the birth.
3) The full effacement and dilation of the cervix indicates the beginning of the second stage.
4) The second stage lasts from full dilation of the cervix to the birth of the fetus.

Answer 1

There are three stages of labor: dilation and thinning of the cervix, expulsion of the baby, and delivery of the placenta.

Step-by-step explanation:

There are three stages to labor. During stage one, the cervix thins and dilates. This is necessary for the baby and placenta to be expelled during birth. The cervix will eventually dilate to about 10 cm. During stage two, the baby is expelled from the uterus. The uterus contracts and the mother pushes as she compresses her abdominal muscles to aid the delivery. The last stage is the passage of the placenta after the baby has been born and the organ has completely disengaged from the uterine wall. If labor should stop before stage two is reached, synthetic oxytocin, known as Pitocin, can be administered to restart and maintain labor.