Final answer:
The nurse expects the fundus to be firm and at the level of the umbilicus right after the third stage of labor to ensure that the uterus is properly contracting to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Firm and at the level of the umbilicus; this is indicative of a well-contracted uterus post-delivery. After the third stage of labor, which involves the delivery of the placenta, the nurse expects the uterus to start the process of involution. Involution is the shrinking and returning of the uterus to its normal size and position after childbirth. Palpating the fundus of the uterus is a method to assess its involution and ensure that it is contracting well, which helps to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.
Ideally, immediately after delivery of the placenta, the fundus should be firm to the touch as it contracts to control bleeding from the placental site. The fundus should be at the level of the umbilicus, or slightly below it, but not soft or distended, as this may indicate that it is not contracting properly, potentially leading to excessive bleeding. Similarly, the fundus should not fluctuate in consistency as it should remain firm if it is well-contracted.