Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing - The Carter Center

4.1.2 The Second Stage of Labour
Definition:
It is the stage from full dilatation of the cervix (i.e no cervix felt
on V.E) until the Baby is born:-
Duration:
Primigravida 45 min – 1 hour, as long as 2 hrs
Multigravida 1/2 hour can be as little as 5 minutes.
N.B. there should always be advance or descent in this
stage
Signs of Second Stage:
1. No cervix felt on Vaginal examination
2. Contractions are much stronger, and last 30-50 seconds
3. The patient wants to push (Urge to push)
4. Sometimes head can be seen at the vulva
Mechanism of the second stage:
Before we deliver a baby we must understand the mechanics
or mechanisms of how the baby passes down through the
pelvis. We also must know the pelvis, and certain definitions.
Mechanism: Is the series of movements of the fetus in its
passage through the birth canal.
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