Transition phase
The transition phase of the first stage of labor occurs when the contractions are 1 to 2 minutes apart and the final dilation is taking place. The transition phase is the most difficult and, fortunately, the shortest phase for the woman, lasting approximately 1 hour in the first birth and perhaps 15 to 30 minutes in successive births. Many women are not able to cope well with the intensity of this short period, become restless, and request pain medications.
During the latent phase, contractions are mild. The woman is in early labor and able to cope with the infrequent contractions. This phase can last hours.
The active phase involves moderate contractions that allow for a brief rest period in between, helping the woman to be able to cope with the next contraction. This phase can last hours.
The placental expulsion phase occurs during the third stage of labor. After separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, continued uterine
contractions cause the placenta to be expelled. Although this phase can last 5 to 30 minutes, the contraction intensity is less than that of the transition phase.
How are the frequency of contractions measured quizlet?
Frequency is measured from the start of one contraction to the start of the next contraction. The duration of a contraction is measured from the beginning of one contraction to the end of that same contraction.
How is a contraction measured?
When timing contractions, start counting from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next. The easiest way to time contractions is to write down on paper the time each contraction starts and its duration, or count the seconds the actual contraction lasts, as shown in the example below.
How are contractions timed quizlet?
1. The nurse measures the frequency of a laboring woman's contractions by noting: the time between the beginning of one contraction and the beginning of the next. The frequency of contractions is the elapsed time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next contraction.
What is the frequency of labor contractions?
For most international obstetrical societies, 5 contractions per 10 min averaged over 30 min is considered as the upper limit of normal uterine activity. We hypothesize that it might be safer to adopt an upper limit of 4 contractions per 10 min.