Final answer:
Labor and delivery consist of three stages: cervical dilation, expulsion of the newborn, and delivery of the placenta. The cervix must dilate to about 10 cm for the baby to pass, and the placenta is delivered after the newborn. Synthetic oxytocin can be used to restart labor if necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stages of Labor and Delivery
Labor and delivery, the process through which a baby is born, is subdivided into three distinct stages. Firstly, during stage one, the cervix undergoes thinning, known as effacement, and dilation. This dilation is necessary for the passage of the baby and will reach about 10 cm.
Moving onto stage two, the baby is expelled from the uterus. Uterine contractions work in tandem with the mother's efforts, where she compresses her abdominal muscles to facilitate the birthing process.
Finally, in stage three, the placenta, also referred to as the afterbirth, is delivered after the newborn. The placenta must fully detach from the uterine wall before being expelled. If labor stalls before reaching stage two, synthetic oxytocin, or Pitocin, may be administered to help resume and maintain the contractions.