A doula is supporting a laboring client at 38 weeks' gestation. The most recent assessment by the healthcare provider includes full dilation and cervical effacement. The client says, "I feel this uncontrollable urge to push." The client is in which stage of labor?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client is in the second stage of labor. The first stage begins with true labor contractions and ends with full cervical dilatation. The second stage of labor begins with full dilatation and ends when the infant is born. It is during this stage that a client in labor may report an uncontrollable urge to bear down. The third stage starts with birth and ends with the delivery of the placenta. The fourth stage of labor is the first one to four hours after birth.

A Doula Is Supporting a Laboring Client at 38 Weeks