Second stage of labor

Second stage of labor

Second stage of labor

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Second Stage of Labor - The Final Push

  • Definition: Full cervical dilation (10 cm) to delivery of the infant.
  • Duration: Varies by parity and anesthesia.
    • Nulliparous: ~50 min (up to 3 hours with epidural).
    • Multiparous: ~20 min (up to 2 hours with epidural).
  • Cardinal Movements: Fetal descent through the pelvis.

    ⭐ Persistent occiput posterior (OP) is the most common malposition, associated with a prolonged second stage, intense back pain, and higher rates of operative delivery.

Cardinal Movements of Labor

Cardinal Movements - Baby's Grand Exit

Cardinal movements of labor

Sequential fetal movements through the maternal pelvis, crucial for successful vaginal delivery.

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    • Engagement: Biparietal diameter passes the pelvic inlet.
    • Descent: Downward passage through the pelvis.
    • Flexion: Fetal chin tucks to chest.
    • Internal Rotation: Occiput rotates towards the pubic symphysis.
    • Extension: Head extends as it passes under the pubic symphysis.
    • External Rotation (Restitution): Head realigns with the shoulders.
    • Expulsion: Delivery of shoulders and body.

⭐ Asynclitism, where the fetal head is misaligned with the maternal pelvis (sagittal suture not centered), can halt labor progress.

Management & Monitoring - Coaching the Delivery

  • Pushing Technique:
    • Encourage spontaneous, open-glottis pushing with contractions.
    • Avoid sustained, closed-glottis (Valsalva) pushing to ↓ risk of fetal acidosis & perineal trauma.
  • Maternal Positioning:
    • Upright or lateral positions (e.g., squatting, hands-and-knees) are preferred over supine.
    • Helps optimize pelvic diameters and may shorten the stage.
  • Fetal Monitoring:
    • Continuous or intermittent auscultation per ACOG guidelines.

⭐ The Ferguson reflex-pressure on the cervix and vaginal walls-triggers oxytocin release, strengthening contractions and the maternal urge to push.

Labor Arrest & Dystocia - When Things Get Stuck

  • Arrest of Descent: Defined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) as no fetal descent after specific durations of pushing in the second stage of labor.
  • Diagnostic Criteria (Time spent pushing with no descent):
    • Nulliparous: ≥4 hours with an epidural, ≥3 hours without.
    • Multiparous: ≥3 hours with an epidural, ≥2 hours without.

⭐ Always evaluate the "3 Ps" (Power, Passenger, Passage) to determine the etiology before intervening. This is a classic exam concept.

  • Etiology (The 3 Ps):
    • Power: Inadequate uterine contractions (use IUPC to assess).
    • Passenger: Fetal malposition (e.g., occiput posterior, asynclitism) or macrosomia.
    • Passage: Cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD).

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Begins at full cervical dilation (10 cm) and ends with delivery of the infant.
  • Duration is longer in nulliparous women and with epidural anesthesia; prolonged if >3 hours (nulliparous) or >2 hours (multiparous) with an epidural.
  • Key cardinal movements are internal rotation to pass the ischial spines and extension of the fetal head.
  • Progress is monitored by assessing fetal station (descent relative to the ischial spines).
  • Arrest of descent is a major indication for operative vaginal delivery (forceps/vacuum) or cesarean section.

Practice Questions: Second stage of labor

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 26-year-old primigravid woman at 39 weeks' gestation is admitted to the hospital in active labor. Pregnancy was complicated by mild oligohydramnios detected a week ago, which was managed with hydration. Her pulse is 92/min, respirations are 18/min, and blood pressure is 134/76 mm Hg. Pelvic examination shows 100% cervical effacement and 10 cm cervical dilation; the vertex is at 0 station. Cardiotocography is shown. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

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Flashcards: Second stage of labor

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Hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to baby during _____

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Hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to baby during _____

delivery

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