What is the condition of the mother when she is 10 cm dilated and 100% effaced?

• A. She is ready to push
• B. She is in the first stage of labor
• C. She is in the transition phase
• D. She is in the active phase

Answer: (A)

When a mother is 10 cm dilated and 100% effaced, she has reached the complete dilation of her cervix, which signifies that she is in the stage of labor where she is ready to begin pushing. At this stage, the cervix has fully opened, and the body is prepared for the descent and birth of the baby. This is a clear indication that the labor progress has moved beyond dilation and into the pushing phase, which is critical for delivery.

In the context of labor stages, the first stage includes early labor, active labor, and transition, all prior to reaching full dilation. The active phase occurs when the cervix dilates from approximately 6 to 10 cm, while the transition phase is typically the time right before the mother reaches that full 10 cm dilation. Therefore, indicating that the mother is ready to push accurately reflects her condition and indicates she has moved beyond the earlier stages of labor.