Stages of Labour and Nursing Care
Labour progresses through distinct stages. Nurses and midwives monitor progress, maternal and fetal wellbeing, and support the woman throughout.
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What you must know about Stages of Labour
First stage: onset of true labour to full cervical dilation (10 cm); includes latent and active phases.
Second stage: from full dilation to delivery of the baby.
Third stage: from delivery of the baby to delivery of the placenta.
Fourth stage: the first 1–2 hours after delivery — close monitoring for haemorrhage.
Monitor fetal heart rate, contractions, and cervical dilation using a partograph.
Active management of the third stage helps prevent postpartum haemorrhage.
NMCN Exam Tips
How this topic appears in the NMCN exam
Full cervical dilation is 10 cm — marks the end of the first stage.
Third stage = delivery of the placenta.
The partograph is used to monitor labour progress.
Watch closely for postpartum haemorrhage in the fourth stage.
Practice Question
Test yourself
The second stage of labour is best described as the period from:
Explanation
The second stage of labour extends from full cervical dilation (10 cm) to the delivery of the baby. The third stage is from delivery of the baby to delivery of the placenta.
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