Play is often considered a prerogative of children and only an occasional indulgence for adults. Its role in children's lives is generally recognized as an important part of 'being a child,' but it is not always clearly understood that play is an essential developmental mechanism.ots of Essays, Functions of Play in the Human Lifespan., LotsofEssays.com, http://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1693293.html (accessed October 19, 2015).
The First Stage of Labor. The first stage is the longest part of labor and can last up to 20 hours. It begins when your cervix starts to open (dilate) and ends when it is completely open (fully dilated) at 10 centimeters. When the cervix dilates from 0 to 3 or 4 centimeters, contractions get stronger as time progresses.
Mild contractions begin at 15 to 20 minutes apart and last 60 to 90 seconds. The contractions become more regular until they are less than 5 minutes apart. This part of labor (called the Latent Phase) is best experienced in the comfort of your home.