Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What characterizes the second stage of labor?

1. Regular contractions

2. Cervical dilation beginning

3. Full dilation and intense contractions

4. Initial active labor phase

The correct answer is: Full dilation and intense contractions

The second stage of labor is defined by full cervical dilation, which is typically at 10 centimeters, allowing the fetus to move down the birth canal. During this stage, the contractions become more intense and frequent, guiding the baby toward delivery. It is a crucial phase of the birthing process where the mother's body works harder to push the baby out, signaling the transition from pregnancy to delivery. In contrast, the other options represent different stages or aspects of labor that are not characteristic of the second stage. Regular contractions refer to the patterns that occur throughout labor but do not specifically pinpoint characteristics of this particular stage. Cervical dilation beginning is associated with the first stage of labor, where the cervix begins to open in preparation for birth but does not reflect the actions during the second stage. The initial active labor phase typically describes the progression of the first stage of labor, where significant changes occur but without yet reaching full dilation. Thus, option C correctly encapsulates the defining features of the second stage of labor by highlighting both full dilation and the intensity of the contractions involved in moving towards delivery.