Which stage is defined by the expulsion of the placenta after birth?

• A. Placental stage
• B. Expulsion stage
• C. Dilation stage
• D. False labor

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the stage defined by expelling the placenta is the placental stage. After the baby is born, the uterus continues to contract to detach the placenta and push it out of the birth canal. This stage ends when the placenta is delivered, and the uterus then contracts firmly to reduce bleeding and begin to firm up the placental site.

This helps you remember the sequence: dilation and early labor involve opening the cervix, the second stage is the birth of the baby, and the third phase, the placental stage, is specifically about delivering the placenta. False labor refers to contractions that don’t lead to actual labor, and is not involved in the delivery stages.