Key Terms

active phase

phase of labor in the first stage that lasts from 6 cm (nulliparous) or 4 cm (multiparous) to 10 cm/100 percent effacement

early phase

early part of the first stage of labor lasting until 6 cm in a nulliparous person and 4 cm in a multiparous person

external cephalic version (ECV)

procedure that attempts to change the fetal position and, if successful, can negate the need for a cesarean birth

fetal attitude

description of the presence of flexion or extension (also referred to as deflexed) of the fetal head and neck

fetal position

relation of the presenting fetal part to the pelvic anatomic landmarks

first stage

stage of labor in which contractions and cervical dilation occur; ends with complete dilation/effacement

fourth stage

stage of labor that begins after the placenta delivery and the end of perineal assessment/repair and ends 1 to 4 hours later

labor

uterine contractions that lead to dilation and effacement of the cervix and move the presenting fetal part through the pelvis

lightening

process by which the fetal presenting part descends into the maternal pelvis; occurs prior to or during labor

molding

compression of the cranial bones, sutures, and fontanelles of the fetus to allow for the fetus to pass through the birthing person’s pelvis

oblique lie

describes a fetus with the long axis at an angle between the perpendicular and parallel

passage

pelvic anatomy that the fetus navigates during birth

passenger

fetus and how they proceed through the passage

position

position of the laboring and birthing person; impacts much of the birth process and often changes the course of labor

power

strength of the uterine muscle contractions and the birthing person’s expulsive efforts

psyche

mind of the laboring and birthing person, which can have a lasting impact on every stage of labor and birth

restitution

external rotation of the fetal head once the head is born, whereby the fetus then turns to the left or right oblique diameter of the pelvis to allow passage of the shoulders under the maternal pubic arch

second stage

stage of labor in which the cervix reaches 10 cm dilation/100 percent effacement; lasts until birth occurs

third stage

stage of labor that begins after birth and ends with completion of the placenta delivery and perineal assessment/repair

transverse lie

describes a fetus with the long axis perpendicular to the maternal long axis