First Stage of Labour (Sign And Symptoms)

Understanding the First Stage of Labour

The first stage of labour is concern with the preparation of birth canal to facilitate expulsion of the fetus in the 2^nd stage. The length of labour varies widely and is influenced by parity, birth interval, psychological state, presentation and position of the fetus, maternal pelvis shape and size and the character of uterine contractions. The active phase completed within 6-12 hours, in primigravida  and 5-6 hours in multiparous women.

Sign and symptoms of First Stage of Labour

• Painful uterine contraction.
• Progressive dilation of the cervix from onset of dilatation to full dilatation.
• Bulging of the membrane during contraction.
• Rupture of the membrane.

Phases of the First Stage of Labour

Latent phase

• Mild, short contractions
• Cervix 0-3 cm

Active phase

• Moderate to strong contraction
• Cervix 4-7 cm
• 4-6 hours for nullipara and 2-4 hours for multipara

Transition

• Strong contraction
• Cervix dilatation 7-10 cm

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