An I.E. of 8 cm indicates what in a primipara?

In the context of labor stages, a cervical dilation of 8 cm in a primiparous individual—someone who is having their first baby—indicates that she is entering the active stage of labor. During this stage, the cervix typically dilates from 6 cm to about 10 cm, marking significant progress toward delivery.

As labor advances, the active phase is characterized by more regular and intense contractions that help facilitate the further dilation of the cervix. Therefore, reaching 8 cm signifies that the labor is progressing well toward the final stages before fully dilating.

Understanding the stages of labor is crucial for monitoring the progress and providing appropriate care to a woman in labor. The latent stage occurs prior to active labor, usually before 6 cm of dilation, while the transitional phase occurs as the cervix approaches full dilation, typically around 9-10 cm, just before the urge to push begins. Full dilation would mean 10 cm, indicating it's almost time for the baby to be born. Hence, a measurement of 8 cm indicates that the individual is actively progressing toward that finished point, aligning with the definition of entering the active stage.