Stages of labour: dilation, pushing and expulsion

Dilation

push

Expulsion

begins with the cervix dilating between 4cm-7cm

placenta produces oxytocin hormone , causing contractions. Contractions occur every 10-15 minutes, then every 1 1/2 to 2 min then every 5 min, then again 2 minutes. Cervix begins to dilate and efface.

During dilation, the three stages are latent, active and transition. During the dilation stages, the cervix should dilate up to 10cm

pushing ends when the baby is freshly born

at 10cm you start pushing, the fetus passes through the birth canal, ends with birth of fetus

the umbilical cord and placenta leave the mothers body

umbilical cord is clamped and removed from mothers body.