Final answer:
Braxton Hicks contractions are known as 'false labor' and are different from 'true labor', which consists of regular, increasing, and powerful contractions. Childbirth progresses through three stages: cervical dilation, birth of the baby, and passage of the placenta. Synthetic oxytocin may be used to stimulate labor if needed.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a mother experiences Braxton Hicks contractions, they are not referred to as true labor, but rather as 'false labor.' True labor is characterized by regular contractions that do not diminish with hydration or rest, and they become more frequent and powerful over time. The process of childbirth comprises three stages: cervical dilation, the expulsion of the newborn, and afterbirth. Cervical dilation is stage one, where the cervix thins and widens to prepare for the baby's passage. Stage two involves the actual birth of the baby, with contractions assisting the mother as she uses her abdominal muscles to push the baby out. The final stage occurs after the baby's birth when the placenta is passed. If necessary, synthetic oxytocin, Pitocin, can be used to stimulate and maintain labor if it does not progress naturally.