Human Parturition (Course Of Delivery)

Quick Answer: The human parturition (course of delivery) model shows the stages of childbirth, usually as a series of models in which the baby is seen at successive points of its passage through the pelvis. This human parturition model is used in midwifery, nursing and medical teaching to explain labour from cervical dilation to the delivery of the placenta.

The Three Stages of Labour in Sequence

Labour is taught as three stages, and a course-of-delivery series lets students see each one. In the first stage, contractions shorten (efface) and open (dilate) the cervix until it is fully dilated at about 10 cm; early models in such a series show the head in the pelvis with the cervix only partly open. The second stage runs from full dilation until the baby is born, and the third ends with the delivery of the placenta and membranes.

Seeing the stages as separate models makes the timing concrete. The first stage is the longest, usually several hours in a first labour, with a slower latent phase before the active phase of quicker dilation. The second stage is shorter, and the third is usually complete within about half an hour when it is actively managed with a uterotonic drug such as oxytocin given at or just after the birth.

The number of models in the series, their size and material, and whether the uterus and soft tissues are shown in section are not stated in the title. For delivery practice, the labour delivery model is listed separately.

Care & Handling

• Keep the human parturition models in sequence on a shelf or in a divided case, so a lesson can start without sorting them.
• Dust with a soft brush; cloths can catch on the edges of sectioned models.
• Keep the series out of direct sunlight so the colours stay consistent across the set.

Applications

• Midwifery lectures on the stages and phases of normal labour
• Teaching how cervical dilation and descent are recorded on a partograph or labour care guide
• Nursing and medical student preparation before labour ward placements
• Antenatal classes explaining to expectant parents what happens in labour

Specifications

Why Choose LabEquip

Midwifery schools and antenatal educators use a delivery series to walk learners through labour in order. LabEquip lists it in its biology lab products; for the number of stages in the series, use the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is labour divided into stages?

Into three. Stage one lasts from the onset of regular contractions until the cervix is fully open; stage two from full dilation until the baby is born; and stage three from the birth until the placenta and membranes are delivered.

What is the difference between effacement and dilation?

Effacement is the thinning and shortening of the cervix, often given as a percentage. Dilation is how wide the cervical opening has become, recorded in centimetres up to about 10 cm at full dilation. In a first labour effacement usually comes before much dilation.

What is the latent phase of labour?

It is the early part of the first stage, when contractions become regular and the cervix softens and begins to open slowly. The active phase follows, with faster dilation. Guidelines differ on where the active phase starts, commonly at around 4 to 6 cm.

What is active management of the third stage?

It means giving a uterotonic drug such as oxytocin at or just after the birth, followed by controlled delivery of the placenta. It reduces the risk of heavy bleeding after birth and is widely recommended.

How long does labour usually last?

It varies widely. A first labour commonly lasts many hours, while later labours are often shorter. Midwives judge progress by the rate of dilation and descent rather than by the clock alone.

Can the series be used in antenatal classes?

Yes. Seeing labour as a sequence of models helps expectant parents understand what the midwife means by dilation and the stages of labour, which can make the process feel less daunting.

Last Updated: September 2026