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Anatomy and Physiology of Childbirth
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Normal physiologic childbirth is divided into
three stages with phases in each stage.
The first stage is dilating and effacing the cervix
during latent, active, hard, and transition phases of
labor. The first stage of labor ends when the cervix is
10 centimeters dilated and 100% effaced.
The second stage of labor is divided into two
phases: descent (pushing preborn baby down the
birth canal), and delivery (expulsion).
The third stage of labor includes the separation and
delivery of the placenta (a fetal organ).
The fourth stage is a period of observation,
adjustments, falling-in-love with baby, and establishing
breastfeeding.
Well-nourished mothers may tend to have shorter
labors compared to poorly nourished pregnant
mothers.
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Cervical changes
A cervix “ripe” for labor is soft, short, and slightly open.
Don't Forget!
Take your ideal birth plan to the hospital with you as a
permanent part of your medical records attached to
your chart at the foot of your bed.
True labor
True labor is the process of your uterus contracting in a
coordinated manner over a sufficient length of time in a
pattern that does not stop when you change activities ~
to bring about the spontaneous birth of your baby.
1st stage of labor
During the first stage of labor the uterus undergoes
formation of the upper and lower segments.
- The upper and lower segments of the uterus work
together during labor.
- The upper segment of the uterus contracts and
thickens.
- The lower segment of the uterus contracts slightly
and distends.
- The lower segment of the uterus includes the
cervix.
- The cervix dilates and effaces.
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