The series of events resulting in the birth (delivery) of the fetus and the products of conception from the mother’s womb. No one is really is certain of what precisely triggers the labor process. The hormone Oxytocin initiates uterine contraction that begin the labor process.
Assessment
- Vaginal Exam, if no bleeding has occured
- Maternal Vital Signs
- Ruptured Membranes
- Fetal Position
- Uterine contraction, length, intensity, frequency
- General Emotional response
Client Need
- Physiological integrity
Nursing Interventions
- Timing of Contractions
- Leopold Manuevers to determine fetal position
- Emotional Support
Patient Teaching :Teach the woman preparing for labor that labor is devided into four
stages.
- First Stage – Initiation of true labor contractions leading to complete dilation of the cervix
- Second Stage – Initiating with the complete dilation of the cervix, this stage concludes with the birth of the baby.
- Third Stage – This Stage concludes with the delivery of the placenta
- Fourth Stage – The first hour after delivery (Postpartum)
The Normal Progress of Labor
The lenght of each phase may vary with nullipara experiencing, on the average, about
14 hours of labor and multipara varying up to 9 hours of labor. The first and second
stages of labor are devided into four phases.
1. Latent Phase
* Cervical Dilatation
* Contractions
– Frequency: 15-30 min
– Duration: 15-30 sec
– Intensity: Mild
2. Active Phase
* Cervical Dilatation: 4-7 cm
* Contractions
– Frequency: 3-5 cm
– Duration: 30-60 sec
– Intensity: Moderate
3. Transition Phase
* Cervical dilatation
* Contractions
– Frequency: 1 1/2-2 min
– Duration: Same
– Intensity: Strong
4. Stage 2:
* Cervical Dilatation: Complete
* Frequency 1 1/2-2min
– Duration: Same
– Intensity: Strong
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