A 30-year-old G2P0 at 39 weeks is admitted in labor with spontaneous rupture of membranes occurring 2 hours prior to admission and regular uterine contractions. On examination, her cervix is 4-cm dilated and completely effaced. The fetal head is at 0 station and the fetal heart tracing is reactive. Two hours later, on repeat examination, her cervix is 5-cm dilated and the fetal head is at +1 station. Early decelerations are noted on the fetal heart tracing.
For the description of labor, select the most appropriate next step in management.
A. Initiate Pitocin augmentationThe patient has a protracted active phase of labor (cervical dilation < 1.2 cm/h). Either expectant management or Pitocin augmentation may be used for treatment.