Active labor progression is generally defined by cervical dilation from approximately what centimeter to full dilation with regular contractions?

Active labor progression is generally defined by cervical dilation from approximately what centimeter to full dilation with regular contractions?

• A. 3 cm to 6 cm
• B. 4 cm to 10 cm
• C. 5 cm to 9 cm
• D. 2 cm to 10 cm

Answer: (B)

Active labor is the phase when the cervix begins to dilate more rapidly, allowing the baby to descend. This is commonly defined as the cervix dilating from about 4 centimeters up to 10 centimeters, with contractions that become regular and progressively stronger. Before this point, during the latent phase, contractions can be irregular and dilation progresses slowly. Once active labor starts around 4 cm, dilation speeds up toward full dilation (10 cm), at which point pushing typically begins. The other ranges either include part of the latent phase (starting well below 4 cm) or stop short of full dilation (ending before 10 cm), so they don’t accurately describe active labor.

Active labor is the phase when the cervix begins to dilate more rapidly, allowing the baby to descend. This is commonly defined as the cervix dilating from about 4 centimeters up to 10 centimeters, with contractions that become regular and progressively stronger. Before this point, during the latent phase, contractions can be irregular and dilation progresses slowly. Once active labor starts around 4 cm, dilation speeds up toward full dilation (10 cm), at which point pushing typically begins. The other ranges either include part of the latent phase (starting well below 4 cm) or stop short of full dilation (ending before 10 cm), so they don’t accurately describe active labor.