The laboring patient asks the nurse how the labor contractions cause the cervix to dilate. The nurse responds that labor contractions facilitate cervical dilation by
A) promoting blood flow to the cervix.
B) contracting the lower uterine segment.
C) enlarging the internal size of the uterus.
D) pulling the cervix over the fetus and amniotic sac.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Effective uterine contractions pull the cervix upward at the same time the fetus and amniotic sac are pushed downward. Blood flow decreases to the uterus during a contraction. The contractions are stronger at the fundus. The internal size becomes smaller with the contractions; this helps push the fetus down.

The Laboring Patient Asks the Nurse How the Labor Contractions