NR 327 EXAM PREP VERIFIED Maternal-Child Nursing COMPLETED 20241. What are the three stages of labor and what are the main events that occur in each stage? - The first stage of labor is the onset of regular uterine contractions until the cervix is fully dilated (10 cm). It is divided into two phases: latent and active. In the latent phase, the cervix dilates from 0 to 3 cm and the contractions are mild and irregular. In the active phase, the cervix dilates from 4 to 10 cm and the contractions are stronger, more frequent and more regular. - The second stage of labor is from full cervical dilation until the delivery of the baby. It is also divided into two phases: descent and expulsion. In the descent phase, the baby's head moves down the birth canal and rotates to align with the pelvic outlet. In the expulsion phase, the mother pushes with each contraction to expel the baby out of the vagina. - The third stage of labor is from the delivery of the baby until the delivery of the placenta. It usually lasts 5 to 30 minutes and involves the separation and expulsion of the placenta from the