Labour and Delivery

Assessment of well being in labour (cont.)

C. Assessing the process of labour
1. Descent of presenting part (typically the baby's head) through the pelvis
2. Dilatation (0cm - 10cm) of the cervix
3. Regularity / rhythm of uterine contractions

Stages of Labour
Historically labour is divided into:

A. Contracting but not pushing (the "first stage"). The head is not low enough nor the cervix fully dilated.

B. Contracting and pushing (the "second stage"). Head deep down in the pelvis, cervix fully dilated.

C. Baby delivered, waiting for placenta to deliver (the "third stage").

The First Stage
The priority is to ensure mother and baby are well, and that the labour is progressing in a satisfactory manner. If the labour is not progressing well, the available evidence would suggest that augmenting the process of labour with Oxytocin (Syntocinon, Pitocin) is beneficial. Precise timing of such a decision or intervention must be taken on an individual basis between the attending midwife / obstetrician and the patient concerned.