What event signifies the end of the first stage of childbirth?

The first stage of childbirth, also known as the labor stage, is characterized by the process of cervical dilation. It is during this stage that the cervix gradually opens to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal. The correct answer highlights that the endpoint of this stage is reached when the cervix is fully dilated to 10 centimeters. This dilation is crucial as it prepares the mother’s body for the second stage of labor, which involves the actual delivery of the baby.

The birth of the baby occurs in the second stage of labor, while the beginning of contractions marks the start of the first stage but does not signify its completion. Delivery of the placenta occurs in the third stage of labor, following the birth of the baby, and is also not part of the first stage. Understanding this sequence is important for recognizing the physiological changes that occur during labor.