Final answer:
Intrauterine Assessment (IA) during the active first stage of labor is typically conducted every 15-30 minutes for low-risk pregnancies and 5-15 minutes for high-risk situations. Fetal monitoring is done to ensure the baby's well-being as the mother undergoes frequent and intense contractions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question 'IA during active first stage: how often?' pertains to the practice of Intrauterine Assessment (IA) during the active first stage of childbirth. During this stage, fetal monitoring is essential to ensure the well-being of the baby. It is often recommended that monitoring through IA should be conducted every 15-30 minutes for low-risk deliveries and more frequently, every 5-15 minutes, for high-risk situations or if any abnormalities are suspected. The active phase of the first stage of labor is characterized by more frequent and intense contractions, leading to cervical dilation from 6 to about 10 centimeters.
Healthcare providers will assess the baby's heart rate to check for any signs of distress which may necessitate medical intervention. It's important to follow the specific guidelines of the healthcare institution and the mother's unique health situation.