Final answer:
Crowning is the sign that delivery is imminent, indicating the baby's head is at the vaginal opening during the second stage of labor. The 'bloody show' is also a sign that labor is near, as it signifies cervical changes 1-2 days before labor. The three stages of childbirth include cervical dilation, expulsion of the newborn, and the delivery of the afterbirth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Signs of Imminent Delivery
Among the options provided, crowning is a sign that delivery is imminent. Crowning occurs when the baby's head starts to emerge through the vaginal opening during delivery. It is a part of the second stage of labor, which includes full cervical dilation and expulsion of the newborn. However, the so-called "bloody show" is also an indicator that labor is near. A bloody show occurs 1-2 days prior to the onset of true labor, and it involves the loosening and expulsion of the mucus plug from the cervical canal, often accompanied by a small amount of blood. This indicates that the cervix is preparing for the dilation stage of labor. Lightening and contractions are other signs that labor is progressing, where lightening refers to the baby moving down into the pelvis and contractions indicate the start and continuation of labor. A bloody stool is not typically associated with signs of labor.
It's important to note that the process of childbirth is divided into three stages: cervical dilation, expulsion of the newborn, and the delivery of the afterbirth or placenta. The final stage includes the delivery of the placenta and any remaining fetal membranes. Physiology of labor suggests that stretching of the myometrium and cervix also stimulate contractions, another sign labor is progressing towards delivery.