The third stage of labour ends with?

Appeared in: Daman & Diu Staff Nurse - 2018

Explanation

The third stage of labor is also known as the placental stage.
It commences immediately following the complete birth of the infant.
This stage concludes with the complete delivery (expulsion) of the placenta and its associated membranes.
The primary physiological event is the separation of the placenta from the uterine wall and its expulsion.

Option A: This time frame falls within the fourth stage of labor, which is the period of immediate postpartum recovery and stabilization.
Option B: Full dilatation of the cervix (to 10 cm) marks the end of the first stage of labor and the beginning of the second stage.
Option D: The birth of the baby marks the end of the second stage of labor and the beginning of the third stage.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The four stages of labor and their defining events as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The nurse's primary role during the third stage is the active management of labor (AMTSL) to prevent postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal mortality.
Key nursing actions include administering a uterotonic (like oxytocin), performing controlled cord traction, and massaging the uterine fundus after placental delivery to ensure it remains firm.
A nurse must be able to recognize the signs of placental separation to assist with a timely and safe delivery of the placenta.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing your knowledge of obstetrics.
First, identify the core concept being asked: the specific endpoint of the third stage of labor.
Mentally review the definitions of all four stages of labor, focusing on what event marks the end of each one.
Evaluate each option against these definitions:
'Full dilatation of cervix' ends Stage 1.
'Birth of baby' ends Stage 2.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QSjRbt27gG7QgsXzg-d5Hv

E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 3 p. 67-69

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 22-41

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 40-48

Practise the full Daman & Diu Staff Nurse - 2018

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.