Labor & Birth Explained | Five P’s, Stages of Labor, Cardinal Movements & Nursing Care

Labor and birth are complex physiologic processes that require precise coordination between maternal and fetal systems. This video provides a clear, step-by-step explanation of the mechanics of labor and delivery with a strong focus on nursing assessment and clinical care.

Topics covered include:

Initiation of labor through maternal and fetal hormonal signaling

Premonitory signs of labor

The Five P’s of labor: power, passageway, passenger, position, and psyche

The four stages of labor and expected progression

Cardinal movements of labor and fetal navigation through the birth canal

Leopold’s maneuvers and bedside assessment of fetal position

Differentiating true labor from false labor

Nursing priorities after rupture of membranes and assessment for cord prolapse

Degrees of perineal lacerations and implications for care

Pain management options including non-pharmacologic methods, IV analgesia, and epidural anesthesia

Nursing management of maternal hypotension and continuous fetal monitoring

Fourth stage of labor, postpartum stabilization, and promotion of bonding

This content is essential for OB exams, NCLEX preparation, and safe clinical practice in labor and delivery settings.

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