CONDUCT OF NORMAL

SPONTANEOUS LABOR

A   20-year-old primigravida    comes   to  the maternity   unit    at  39  weeks’

gestation   complaining of  regular uterine contractions    every   3   min for the

past    6   h.  The contractions    are becoming    more    frequent.   She denies  any

vaginal fluid   leakage.    Vital   signs   are blood   pressure    125/75  mm  Hg, pulse

80  beats/min,  respirations    17  breaths/min.    On  pelvic  examination the fetus

is  cephalic    presentation    at  –1  station.    The cervix  is  5   cm  dilated,    90%

effaced,    and soft    and anterior    in  position.   On  the electronic  fetal   monitor

(EFM)   the fetal   heart   rate    baseline    is  135 beats/min   with    moderate

variability,    frequent    accelerations,  and no  decelerations.  How will    you

manage  this    patient?