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Stages of Labor - PubMed

  • ️Mon Jan 30 2023

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In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.

2023 Jan 30.

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Stages of Labor

Julia Hutchison et al.

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Excerpt

Labor is the process through which a fetus and placenta are delivered from the uterus through the vagina. Human labor is divided into 3 stages. The first stage is further divided into 2 phases. Successful labor involves 3 factors: maternal efforts and uterine contractions, fetal characteristics, and pelvic anatomy. This triad is called the passenger, power, and passage. Clinicians typically use multiple modalities to monitor labor. Serial cervical examinations are used to determine cervical dilation, effacement, and fetal position, also known as the station. Fetal heart monitoring is employed nearly continuously to assess fetal well-being throughout labor. Cardiotocography is used to monitor the frequency and adequacy of contractions. Medical professionals use the information they obtain from monitoring and cervical exams to determine the patient's stage of labor and monitor labor progression.

Copyright © 2025, StatPearls Publishing LLC.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: Julia Hutchison declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Heba Mahdy declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Justin Hutchison declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

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