Once the sac ruptures, termed "the water breaks", the baby is at risk for infection and the mothers medical team will assess the need to induce labour if it has not started within the time they believe to be safe for the infant.The first stage of labour is divided into latent and active phases, where the latent phase is sometimes included in the definition of labour, and sometimes not. First stage: latent phase
The latent phase is generally defined as beginning at the point at which the woman perceives regular uterine contractions. In contrast, Braxton Hicks contractions, which are contractions that may start around 26 weeks gestation and are sometimes called "false labour", are infrequent, irregular, and involve only mild cramping.Cervical effacement,  which is the thinning and stretching of the cervix, and cervical dilation occur during the closing weeks of pregnancy. Effacement is usually complete or near-complete and dilation is about 5 cm by the end of the latent phase. The degree of cervical effacement and dilation may be felt during a vaginal examination. First stage: active phase
The active stage of labour (or "active phase of first stage" if the previous phase is termed "latent phase of first stage") has geographically differing definitions. The World Health Organization describes the active first stage as "a period of time characterized by regular painful uterine contractions, a substantial degree of cervical effacement and more rapid cervical dilatation from 5 cm until full dilatation for first and subsequent labours.
Lipoatrophia semicircularis is a medical condition in humans, commonly known as ribbed thighs. It consists of a semicircular zone of atrophy of the subcutaneous fatty tissue located mostly on the front of the thighs. Skin and underlying muscles remains intact. Semicircular lipoatrophy mainly affects office workers. The ribs in the thighs are typically between 2 and 4 cm high and are typically located at about 72 cm above the ground, which is the standard height of office furniture. Cause
It is not yet clear what exactly causes semicircular lipoatrophy. Some hypotheses are that it is caused by localized pressure or by electromagnetic fields. Diagnosis
Treatment
See also
Lipodystrophy
List of cutaneous conditions

References


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