Question

To assess the duration of labor contractions, the nurse determines the time:

a) Between the start and peak of each contraction
b) From the end of one contraction to the start of the next
c) From the beginning of the contraction to the end
d) From the peak of one contraction to the peak of the next

Answer 1

During the dilation stage of labor, contractions cause the cervix to dilate. During birth, the baby descends through the cervix and vagina, and the umbilical cord is cut.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. During the dilation stage of labor, uterine contractions begin and become increasingly frequent and intense. The contractions push the baby's head against the cervix, causing the cervical canal to dilate or become wider. This stage lasts until the cervical canal has dilated to about 10 cm in width.
2. During birth, the baby descends through the cervical canal and vagina. This is the stage when the mother generally starts bearing down during the contractions to help push out the fetus. The fetus exits the vagina with its face facing the mother's posterior. Usually, within a minute or less of birth, the umbilical cord is cut, so the baby is no longer connected to the placenta.