_Watchfulness_, then, is of extreme importance; watching for symptoms of complications or change in the patient’s condition, and watching the progress of labor in order to keep the doctor fully informed about his patient’s condition. Nurses are very frequently taught to make rectal examinations for the sake of increasing the value of their assistance in this respect. Although unexpected symptoms do not, as a rule, develop suddenly during the first stage, the nurse must be none the less vigilant for them. The doctor should be notified if the pains suddenly grow either more or less frequent, or more or less severe; if there is any bulging of the perineum; if the membranes rupture; if there is any bleeding or a prolapsed cord; if there is extreme restlessness or any evidence of unusual distress; a rising temperature or pulse; a temperature of 100° F. or a pulse of more than 100 or less than 60; a fetal heart rate of more than 150 or less than 116, or any marked change of any kind in the patient’s condition. During the latter part of the first stage, and during the second stage, the patient has an almost continuous desire to empty her bowels, because of pressure made upon the rectum by the descending head. This is another point which the nurse explain to her patient, in assuring her that frequent attempts to use the bed-pan will give no relief. The end of the first stage is reached when the cervix is fully dilated, at which time the pains occur about every two minutes, are stronger and more severe, and the patient begins to feel like bearing down. The membranes frequently rupture at this point and the vaginal discharge is blood tinged. The patient should remain in bed and not be left alone from this time on. To sum up the nurse’s duties during the first stage of labor, when the patient is almost entirely in the nurse’s care: 1. She must be a sympathetic, encouraging friend to the patient. 2. She must help the patient to preserve her strength by giving her light nourishment about every four hours; by advising her not to bear down; not to exhaust herself by walking about too much but to lie down when tired. 3. She must watch the progress of labor and watch for symptoms of complications. 4. She must employ strictest aseptic and antiseptic methods. 5. She must prepare for the birth of the baby. SECOND STAGE The second stage is shorter, harder and more perilous than the first. The uterine contractions are stronger; more frequent and more expulsive, and the baby steadily curves and rotates its way down through the birth canal.