different phases in stage 1
Last reviewed 01/2018
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.