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Different phases in stage 1

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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The first stage of labour is divided into two phases, a latent phase and an active phase :-

  • latent phase :- the latent phase of stage 1 of labour is described as commencing at the onset of contractions and finishing when the cervix is 4cm dilated. This phase lasts approximately 8 hours in a primagravid and about 5 hours in a multigravid.

  • active phase :- this phase is described from a 4cm dilatation of the cervix until the point when the cervix is fully dilated (approximately 10 cm). The rate of dilatation in a primagravid patient is about 1-2 cm per hour whilst in a multigravid the rate of dilatation is approximately 2-3 cm per hour.

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