A patient is admitted to the Labor & Delivery unit at 39 weeks.

She is 5/60/-2. After several hours she is at 5/70/-2. What can be given to help augment her labor?

Choice A rationale
Meconium is produced by the fetal intestines. The intestines start to form meconium around the 16th week of gestation. Meconium is composed of shed cells, mucus, amniotic fluid, bile, and lanugo.
Choice B rationale
The placenta does not produce meconium. Its primary functions include nutrient transfer, gas exchange, and waste elimination, but it does not have the structures necessary for the production of meconium.
Choice C rationale
Amniotic fluid does not produce meconium. Amniotic fluid surrounds and protects the fetus but does not contain the components needed to create meconium. Instead, the fetus swallows and then excretes it into the intestines.
Choice D rationale
Fetal kidneys are responsible for filtering waste and producing urine, but they do not produce meconium. The production of meconium is a function of the intestines, not the kidneys.

Choice A rationale
Bladder distention may cause discomfort and urinary issues but is not directly related to cervical dilation and effacement, which involve changes in the cervix to prepare for labor.
Choice B rationale
False labor involves irregular contractions that do not lead to cervical dilation and effacement. These are often called Braxton Hicks contractions and do not result in significant cervical changes.
Choice C rationale
The cervical mucus plug coming out, also known as the "bloody show," indicates that the cervix is beginning to dilate and efface, which are preparatory processes for labor to occur.
Choice D rationale
Lightening refers to the descent of the baby into the pelvis, which typically occurs in the later stages of pregnancy and does not directly involve cervical dilation and effacement processes.