Final answer:
The resting period between contractions in labor is essential for the fetus's oxygen supply and is monitored to ensure there is no fetal distress. Contractions become more frequent and stronger as labor progresses, reducing the duration of the resting periods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The determination of the resting period between contractions during labor is important for both the safety and well-being of the mother and the fetus. True labor is characterized by regular contractions that do not abate with rest or hydration and intensify over time. The resting period, or the interval of relaxation between contractions, is crucial because it allows oxygenated blood to flow back to the fetus, ensuring the fetus is not in distress. Should contractions be too frequent without adequate resting periods, it can lead to fetal distress, indicated by abnormal fetal heart rates, and necessitate emergency medical interventions.
Labor contractions typically begin at every 3-30 minutes and last 20-40 seconds, with the resting period being the time until the next contraction starts. As labor progresses, contractions become more frequent and powerful, occuring every 1.5-2 minutes and lasting up to a full minute by the end of the first stage of labor. Therefore, the resting period between contractions would be shorter as labor progresses.