Labour
Labour
Labour refers to the process of childbirth, during which a baby is delivered from the uterus through the vagina. Labour is a complex physiological process that involves a series of coordinated events leading to the birth of a baby. It is typically divided into three stages: the first stage (dilation), the second stage (expulsion), and the third stage (placental).
Stages of Labour[edit | edit source]
First Stage[edit | edit source]
The first stage of labour is characterized by the dilation of the cervix. This stage is further divided into two phases: the latent phase and the active phase. During the latent phase, contractions are mild and irregular, and the cervix begins to efface and dilate. In the active phase, contractions become more regular, intense, and frequent, leading to further dilation of the cervix up to 10 centimeters.
Second Stage[edit | edit source]
The second stage of labour begins when the cervix is fully dilated and ends with the delivery of the baby. This stage involves the descent of the baby through the birth canal, aided by maternal pushing efforts and uterine contractions. The second stage can last from a few minutes to several hours, depending on various factors such as the position of the baby and the strength of the contractions.
Third Stage[edit | edit source]
The third stage of labour involves the delivery of the placenta. After the baby is born, the uterus continues to contract, which helps to detach the placenta from the uterine wall and expel it through the vagina. This stage typically lasts between 5 to 30 minutes.
Pain Management[edit | edit source]
Labour can be a painful process, and various pain management options are available to help women cope with the discomfort. These options include epidural anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, narcotic analgesics, and non-pharmacological methods such as breathing techniques, hydrotherapy, and massage.
Complications[edit | edit source]
While most labours progress without significant issues, complications can arise. Some common complications include preterm labour, prolonged labour, fetal distress, and shoulder dystocia. Medical interventions such as cesarean section, forceps delivery, or vacuum extraction may be necessary to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Categories[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
