Module 2 page 9 - GRLContent

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• Much of the pain women feel during labor results from muscles opening the cervix from 0 to 10 cm

• initial sign of labor is frequently a contraction

• myometrium layer, contract in sequence to force the fetus downward to the cervix.

• latent phase

• contractions become more regular (usually 5–20 minutes apart) and stronger.

• longest and least intense

• hen contractions become more severe and frequent, labor has moved to the active phase.

• cervix dilates from 4 cm to 7 cm

• ontractions can last up to 1 minute with 3–5 minutes between them

• transition phase, the final phase, is often the shortest but most intense

• last between 30 minutes and 2 hours, which is quicker than the 3–5 hours of active labo

• ervix completes its transformation and is completely dilated to 10 cm during this time

• contractions are often 60–90 seconds in length and occur less than 2 minutes apart.

• baby will turn to face the mother’s spine and move further downward, so that it’s head will “crown” in the vaginal

• time when many women feel the urge to push

• this stage, with all three phases, lasts 12–14 hours for first-time births.

• Subsequent deliveries usually see a considerable decrease in the first stage.

• second stage of labor is delivery

• intense abdominal pressure and for many, the desire to push or bear down

• ontractions in abdomen muscles have joined the uterine contraction