A Nursing Perspective on the Four Stages of Labor

A Nursing Perspective on the Four Stages of Labor

Dominique Samuel

Virginia College

May 11, 2013

Abstract

In the field of nursing it is critical that the nurse recognize and understand certain processes in the field of medicine. The labor process is very complex and complicated. It is the desire of the nurse to understand the birthing process to the fullest. The nurse must know when and what stage that the laboring mother is in. Labor is defined as the physiologic process by which the fetus and membranes are expelled through the uterus (Littleton, 2005). Labor is a painful process. It can be a process brought on naturally or the mother may need a little help with induction. The nurse must be able to recognize the phases of labor to ensure that the patient is receiving the right care at the appropriate time. The patient will need to have certain procedures done at certain times. Therefore, it is critical in knowing what needs to be done when. As a nurse you do not want to give the patient the wrong medication or perform the wrong procedure at an inappropriate time. The woman will probably need an epidural if she opts for one and the nurse must know at what stage in labor she can receive one. As labor carries on the woman’s body changes with each stage. The uterus changes and the cervix thins and dilates. In the following paper the stages of labor will be explained in more detail.

Stage One (Latent Phase)

Latent is a word used to describe the first stages of labor. The word latent mean present and capable of emerging or developing but not now visible (Webster, 2013). In this latent stage of labor the woman usually realizes that she is in labor. The body starts to change. In this phase it differs from one individual to the next both in duration and character. In this phase the labor patterns are often irregular and the contractions are painful. The contractions usually build in intensity and frequency. This phase tends to be long in the first pregnancy. Some women feel that the pains are so mild they can’t believe they are in labor. Other women may be so distressed and in pain that they feel they need pain relief immediately. In this stage the woman’s body releases the chemical oxytocin to allow the cervix to soften and ripen. Sometime the woman may be asked to stimulate the nipples, which helps in the release of oxytocin. This chemical causes the cervix to become more pliable. Then the cervix will start to open. This stage is called dilation. The muscles walls of the uterus start to contract. As the pressure from the contractions squeeze the amniotic sac it causes the sac