1. Child Birth The Stages

2. The Stages of Labor A month or two before birth the fetus drops to a lower position.

3. The stages of labor Stage 1 1. Dilation stage- Strong uterine contractions cause the cervix to dilate 2. The cervix fully dilates, the membrane surrounding the baby ruptures, head enters birth canal

4. The stages of Labor Stage 2 Expulsion stage- the head emerges fully and the shoulders rotate.

5. The Stages of Labor Stage 3 Placental stage- The baby is born and the uterus expels the placenta and the umbilical cord.

7. Contractions Muscles in the walls of the uterus contract. (may occur several weeks before pregnancy) When contractions are strong enough, labor can begin.

8. So What do contractions do? Contractions press the baby’s head against the cervix. They force the cervix to open wide enough for the baby to pass through.