Which describes the final stage of labor?

Which describes the final stage of labor?

• A. Expulsion of the fetus
• B. Engagement
• C. Descent
• D. Internal rotation

Answer: (A)

The final stage is the placental stage, which begins after the baby is born and ends with delivery of the placenta and membranes. The terms listed describe movements of the fetus during the second stage: engagement is when the presenting part enters the pelvic inlet, descent is the baby’s progress down the birth canal, and internal rotation is the turning of the head to align with the pelvis for birth. Expulsion of the fetus is the event that ends the second stage, i.e., the birth of the baby. Since the placental stage isn’t represented among the options, the option given describes the completion of the baby’s birth (second stage) rather than the true final stage. The correct framing would name placental expulsion as the final stage.

The final stage is the placental stage, which begins after the baby is born and ends with delivery of the placenta and membranes. The terms listed describe movements of the fetus during the second stage: engagement is when the presenting part enters the pelvic inlet, descent is the baby’s progress down the birth canal, and internal rotation is the turning of the head to align with the pelvis for birth. Expulsion of the fetus is the event that ends the second stage, i.e., the birth of the baby. Since the placental stage isn’t represented among the options, the option given describes the completion of the baby’s birth (second stage) rather than the true final stage. The correct framing would name placental expulsion as the final stage.