Final answer:
A woman can be admitted to the hospital at any stage during labor. The three stages of labor are cervical dilation, birth of the baby, and delivery of the placenta. Admission may vary depending on the individual situation.
Step-by-step explanation:
A woman can be admitted to the hospital at anytime during labor, depending on her condition, preference, hospital policy, and the advice of her healthcare provider. The labor process is divided into three stages: the first stage involves the thinning and dilation of the cervix, which must reach about 10 cm to allow the baby to pass through; the second stage is when the baby is actually expelled from the uterus, aided by uterine contractions and abdominal pushing by the mother; and the final stage is the delivery of the afterbirth, or placenta, once the baby has been born. While it is common for women to be admitted during active labor, circumstances such as a ruptured amniotic sac or a need for medical intervention might necessitate hospital admission during the early stages of labor, or even in the transition phase.