Final answer:
Key questions to ask a woman in labor include the frequency, duration, and interval of contractions, whether the amniotic sac has broken, pain levels, visible crowning, past labor history, distance to the hospital, and any complications. This assessment helps in determining if there is time to transport her to the hospital safely.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine whether there is time to transport a woman in labor to the hospital, several key questions should be asked:
- How frequent are the contractions?
- How long do the contractions last?
- How far apart are the contractions?
- Has the amniotic sac broken, and if so, when?
- How intense is the pain associated with the contractions?
- Is there any visible crowning (when the baby's head starts to emerge)?
- How many previous labors has the woman had, and how long did they last?
- What is the distance to the nearest hospital?
- Are there any complications or risk factors identified by a healthcare provider?
These questions can help assess the stage of labor and the urgency for hospital admission. Particularly, the regularity and closeness of contractions, alongside water breakage, can indicate that labor is progressing and that it may be too late for safe transport. However, a call to medical professionals is always recommended for the best course of action.