What is the stage of labor called when the fetus is moving through the birth canal and intense pressure and pain are felt?

The stage of labor referred to as "expulsion" is characterized by the movement of the fetus through the birth canal. During this phase, the mother experiences significant pressure and pain as the baby's head descends into the pelvis, stretching the surrounding tissues. This stage includes the active efforts of the mother to push, which facilitates the delivery of the fetus from the uterus.

Labor typically progresses through several stages, with expulsion being specifically focused on the actual birth of the baby. The experience of intense pressure signifies that the fetus is transitioning through the pelvic area, engaging with the birth canal, and prepares for delivery. This distinction is important in understanding the flow of labor and the physiological changes occurring during the birthing process.

Other phases, such as contractions, refer to the rhythmic tightening of the uterus that occurs earlier in labor and helps to dilate the cervix. Transition is the stage just before expulsion where the cervix completes dilating, and delivery pertains more broadly to the entire process of the baby's birth, which encompasses the expulsion stage. Understanding these stages helps in better recognizing the signs of labor progression.