- Passenger: Size of fetus and its head, fetal presentation, lie, attitude, and position in relation to birth canal.
- Passageway: Size of birth canal in relation to fetus.
- Power: Force, regularity, and duration of contractions.
- Psychological: Pain and anxiety experienced by mother, including preparation for delivery and support system.
Stages of Labor
| Stage I | From onset of contractions through full effacement and dilation of cervix (latent phase, 0–3 cm; active phase, 4–7 cm; transition phase, 8–10 cm); duration: 8–18 hr. |
| Stage II | From full dilation of cervix until delivery of baby; duration: 15–90 min. |
| Stage III | From birth of baby until expulsion of placenta; duration: ≤20 min. |
| Stage IV | First 1–4 hr after expulsion of placenta. |
Comparison of True and False Labor
| True Labor | False Labor | |
|---|---|---|
| Contractions | Consistent pattern. | Inconsistent pattern. |
| Frequency of Contractions | Progressively increasing. | Inconsistent. |
| Duration of Contractions | Progressively increasing. | Inconsistent. |
| Intensity of Contractions | Progressively increasing; increases with walking. | Inconsistent; subsides or does not increase with walking. |
| Cervix | Progressive effacement and dilation. | No significant change. |
| Discomfort | Mostly low back and abdominal. | Mostly abdominal and groin. |