Mechanism (Cardinal Movements) of Labor

Descent is the downward movement of the biparietal diameter of the fetal head to within the pelvic inlet. Full descent occurs when the fetal head extrudes beyond the dilated cervix and touches the posterior vaginal floor. Flexion as descent occurs and the fetal head reaches the pelvic floor, the head bends forward onto the chest, making the smallest anteroposterior diameter (the sub-occiptiobregmatic diameter) the one presented to the birth canal. Internal Rotation the head flexes as it touches the pelvic floor, and the occiput rotates until it is superior, or just below the symphysis pubis, bringing the head into the best relationship to the outlet of the pelvis (the anteroposterior diameter is now in the anteroposterior plane of the pelvis) . Extension as the occiput is born, the back of the neck stops beneath the pubic arch and acts as a pivot for the rest of the head. External Rotation in external rotation, almost immediately after the head of the infant is born, the head rotates (from the anteroposterior position is assumed to enter the outlet) back to the diagonal or transverse position of the early part of labor. Expulsion once the shoulders are born, the rest of the baby is born easily and smoothly because of its smaller size.