Ace the NARM Midwifery Exam 2025 – Deliver Your Dream Career with Confidence!

During normal labor, the maternal pulse typically increases and decreases in response to contractions. As the uterus contracts, it exerts pressure on the blood vessels, which can lead to a rise in maternal heart rate due to the increased oxygen demand and physical stress of labor. Following the contraction, as the uterus relaxes, the pulse may decrease as the cardiovascular system stabilizes. This physiological response indicates the body's adjustment to the demands of labor and is an important factor for midwives to monitor during the birthing process.

The consistent or stable pulse would not be an accurate representation of the body's response to the dynamic nature of labor. A rapid decrease in pulse would suggest a concerning physiological response, and fluctuations limited only to the second stage do not encompass the entire labor experience, which also involves significant changes during the first stage. Therefore, recognizing the correlation between maternal pulse changes and contraction patterns is crucial for safe and effective monitoring during labor.