Normal labour

1. Big picture

Normal labour is the physiological process by which a viable fetus, placenta, and membranes are delivered through the birth canal by coordinated uterine contractions.

For the final exam, the examiner wants you to explain:

Normal labour = Passenger + Passage + Powers + Position/Psyche

The key clinical question is always:

Is this still normal physiological labour, or is there a maternal/fetal risk that requires intervention?

Normal labour is not just “contractions and delivery.” It is a stepwise process:

Onset of regular contractions
        ↓
Cervical effacement and dilatation
        ↓
Descent and rotation of the fetal head
        ↓
Birth