Question

A primigravida client arrives in the labor and delivery unit and describes her contractions as occurring every 10—12 minutes, lasting 30 seconds. She is smiling and very excited about the possibility of being in labor. On exam, her cervix is dilated 2 cm, 100% effaced, and is a -2 station. What best describes this labor?

Answer 1

This patient is currently on the latent phase (or early phase) of the first phase of labor.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first stage of labor is the dilation stage. This stage can also be divided into 2 phases: the latent (in which contractions are still isolated but start to become more coordinated and cervix dilate until 4 cm) and active phase (in which cervix achieve full dilation and contractions are rhythmic (2 or 3 contractions in 10 minutes of 30 seconds each)).

The station establishes the grade of descent of the baby trough the pelvis. At the -3 station, the head of the baby is above the pelvis, and at 0 station, the head is fully engaged (at the bottom of the pelvis). So, this patient’s baby is starting to descent, but still not fully engaged.

The second stage of labor is the birth of the baby, and the third, the delivery of the placenta.