Which of the following BEST describes "station" as it applies to pregnancy, labor, and birth?
Explanation
Answer: D - Pelvic station is a measurement of labor progress using the position of the baby's descent in relation to the ischial spines, or mid-pelvis, of the mother. The measurement is done in number of centimeters from the mid-pelvis, and it ranges from "minus 4" to "plus 4," with "zero station" meaning the baby is mid-pelvis. Plus numbers mean the baby is closer to being born. While the baby does tend to engage in the pelvis earlier for first time moms, prenatal history is not a related factor in future pregnancies. The rotation of the baby's head may make descent take longer, thus taking longer for the baby to reach various stations.
