A textbook of obstetrics . cend, either carrying the membranes before it or else-,as is more common, the membranes rupture just as the os isfull)- dilated and the childs presenting part is driven throughthe rent m the amnion and chorion. In this condition ot affairs LABOR. -93 is found a good explanation for the action of the abdominalmuscles ; so long as the presenting part acts simply as a wedge,dilating the os, but not descending to any appreciable degree, the muscles of the abdomen are useless, and are, in fact, inhibited,for their action would drive the presenting part against the undi-la
A textbook of obstetrics . cend, either carrying the membranes before it or else-,as is more common, the membranes rupture just as the os isfull)- dilated and the childs presenting part is driven throughthe rent m the amnion and chorion. In this condition ot affairs LABOR. -93 is found a good explanation for the action of the abdominalmuscles ; so long as the presenting part acts simply as a wedge,dilating the os, but not descending to any appreciable degree, the muscles of the abdomen are useless, and are, in fact, inhibited,for their action would drive the presenting part against the undi-lated cervix with such force as to give great pain, if not to dogreat damage. The main obstruction to the descent of thechild, the cervix, being removed, the abdominal muscles arecalled into play, and act effectively in the displacement of thefetal body downward along the birth-canal. For conveniencedefinite names are given to these stages of labor, presentingeach such distinctive features. The period of dilatation is called. Fig. iM. -The distention of the vulva and the appearance of the childs scalp. the first stage ; the period of descent or expulsion is called thesecond stage. The first stage begins with the onset of laborand ends with the complete dilatation of the os. The secondstage begins with the dilatation of the os and ends with thecomplete expulsion of the child. As labor is not complete untilthe whole ovum is expelled, there is a third stage of labor, thatperiod of time from the extrusion of the fetus until the pla-centa and membranes are expelled. To return, however, to the clinical phenomena of labor. Thewoman has passed from the first to tin- second stage. Asthe latter progresses the pain becomes more frequent and violent,the womans suffering is increased, and her complaints grow •94 LABOR AND THE PUERPERIUM. louder. Finally she declares, perhaps, that she must rise toevacuate her rectum and bladder, and the reason for this feel-ing is clear when one sees the pe
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookidtex, booksubjectobstetrics
