What occurs in the second stage of labor?

In the second stage of labor, the key event is that the cervix is fully dilated, which allows the baby's head to descend into the vagina. This stage follows the first stage of labor, where the cervix gradually opens to 10 centimeters. Once this complete dilation is achieved, contractions become more vigorous and frequent, assisting in pushing the baby through the birth canal.

The focus of this stage is on the birth process, where the mother exerts pressure with her contractions to facilitate delivery. This process culminates in the actual birth of the baby, making it a critical phase for both the mother and child.

The other options describe different processes associated with labor. The detachment and delivery of the placenta occurs in the third stage of labor, while cervix dilation between 2-5 centimeters is characteristic of the early part of the first stage of labor, not the second stage. The delivery of the child does indeed happen in this stage but is most accurately captured in the context of the head's descent mentioned in the chosen answer.