Final answer:
The best response the nurse can give is that the fetal monitor records both the baby's heart rate and the mother's contractions during labor, which is essential for assessing the baby's well-being and the progress of labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the fetal monitor during labor is to track the baby's heart rate and the mother's contractions. Hence, the best response by the nurse would be option b) "It records the baby's heart rate and your contractions during labor." This monitoring is crucial as it helps the healthcare team assess the baby's well-being and determine how labor is progressing.
Contractions are important for the dilation of the cervix and the subsequent expulsion of the newborn. In the late stages of pregnancy, a drop in progesterone and the stretching forces from the fetus lead to uterine irritability and the onset of labor. Labor is divided into three stages, starting with cervical dilation, followed by the expulsion of the newborn, and ending with the delivery of the placenta.