A nurse is assisting with a vaginal birth and is monitoring for signs of placental separation. What is the most reliable clinical indicator that the placenta has separated?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: lengthening of the umbilical cord. This is the most reliable indicator of placental separation because as the placenta detaches from the uterine wall, the cord lengthens as it moves downward. This signifies that the placenta has separated completely.
A: A gush of clear amniotic fluid is not a reliable indicator of placental separation as it can occur before or after placental separation.
B: Uterine contractions every 2 to 3 minutes are a sign of labor progression, not specifically placental separation.
D: Maternal report of intense pain can be subjective and may not always indicate placental separation.