parto

Parto is the process of childbirth—the delivery of a baby and the placenta at the end of pregnancy. The term is used in Italian and many other languages to denote labor and delivery. Medically, parturition begins with the onset of regular uterine contractions and ends with the birth of the newborn.

Labor is commonly described as occurring in three stages. The first stage includes the onset of contractions and gradual cervical dilation from 0 to 10 centimeters, with a latent phase followed by active labor. The second stage runs from full dilation to the birth of the baby. The third stage begins after birth and ends with the delivery of the placenta and membranes.

Delivery can occur spontaneously or with medical intervention. Options include spontaneous vaginal birth, induction or augmentation of labor, assisted vaginal delivery using forceps or vacuum, and cesarean section when vaginal delivery would pose risk to the mother or baby.

Pain relief and support vary; non-pharmacological methods, analgesia such as epidural or spinal anesthesia, and other medications are commonly used in many settings. Continuous fetal monitoring may be employed in hospital-based care to assess the baby’s well-being during labor.

Common complications include prolonged labor, dystocia (difficult birth), fetal distress, placental problems, postpartum hemorrhage, and infection. Global differences in access to skilled care and emergency obstetric services affect outcomes, with higher risks in settings with limited resources.