STAGES OF LABOUR (First stage, second stage, third stage, Fourth stage,

Episodes of labour are divided into three stages.

• First stage
• Second stage
• Third stage

FIRST STAGE OF LABOUR

It is start from onset of true labour pain( regular contraction) to full dilatation of cervix( when the cervix dilate 10( cm)

• It is average duration 12 hour in primigravida and 6 hours in multigravida

If the duration of delivery will more than 12 hours in primigravida and more than 6 hour in multigravida then that is abnormal and called prolong labour

SECOND STAGE OF LABOUR

It starts from full dilation of the cervix to expulsion of the fetus.

• The second stage has Two-phase.
• 1-The propulsive phase
• 2-The expulsive phase

THE PROPULSIVE PHASE

It starts from full dilation of the cervix to the descent of the presenting part of the fetus to the pelvic floor.

THE EXPULSIVE PHASE

It starts from the maternal bearing down effects and end with the delivery of the baby.

it’s average length 2 hours in primigravida and 30 minutes in multigravida.

THIRD STAGE

It starts after delivery of the baby and end with expulsion of placenta and membranes.

It’s average length 15 minutes in both primigravida and multigravida.

FOURTH STAGE

It starts after delivery of baby and placenta till 1 hour to kept close supervision of the mother to detect any postpartum haemorrhage or other abnormality