North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

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What is described as the latent phase of labor?

From 3 cm to 10 cm dilation
From onset of contractions to 3-4 cm dilation
The period when transition starts
Full dilation until delivery

The correct answer is: From onset of contractions to 3-4 cm dilation

The latent phase of labor is characterized by the time from the onset of contractions until the cervix reaches approximately 3 to 4 centimeters of dilation. During this phase, contractions may be irregular and can vary in intensity. The latent phase is often seen as a time of gradual cervical change and is typically longer than the active phase of labor, which starts at around 4 centimeters dilation and continues to full dilation at 10 centimeters. Understanding this phase is crucial for midwives as it helps in assessing progress in labor and providing appropriate support to the laboring individual. In the context of the other options, the range from 3 cm to 10 cm dilation refers to the active phase of labor, which follows the latent phase, while the period when transition starts occurs at the end of the active phase and leads to full dilation. Lastly, the full dilation until delivery describes the second stage of labor, which is the actual pushing stage. This knowledge helps midwives differentiate between stages of labor for better management of childbirth.