Managing Complications in Pregnancy and Childbirth: - IAWG

C-60 Normal labour and childbirth- watery vaginal discharge or a sudden gush of water.• Confirm the onset of labour if there is:- cervical effacement—the progressive shortening and thinningof the cervix during labour; and- cervical dilatation—the increase in diameter of the cervicalopening measured in centimetres (Fig C-3 A–E).FIGURE C-3Effacement and dilatation of the cervixDIAGNOSIS OF STAGE AND PHASE OF LABOURTABLE C-8Diagnosis of stage and phase of labour aSymptoms and Signs Stage Phase• Cervix not dilatedFalse labour/Not in labour• Cervix dilated less than 4 cm First Latent• Cervix dilated 4–9 cm• Rate of dilatation typically 1 cm perhour or more• Fetal descent begins• Cervix fully dilated (10 cm)• Fetal descent continues• No urge to pushFirstSecondActiveEarly (nonexpulsive)