A multiparous patient in active labor should be expected to dilate at what rate per hour?

In a multiparous patient, who has given birth more than once, the rate of cervical dilation during active labor is typically around 1.5 cm per hour. This rate can be attributed to the physiological adaptations that occur with subsequent pregnancies, which often lead to more efficient labor progress compared to first-time mothers.

Active labor is defined by a more rapid progression of cervical dilation, and multiparous women usually experience decreased tissue resistance and a more favorable uterine tone due to their previous childbirth experiences. This allows for a quicker transition through the stages of labor, resulting in a dilation rate that averages around 1.5 cm per hour, which aligns with established clinical guidelines on labor management.

Understanding this cervical dilation rate is crucial for monitoring labor progression and intervening appropriately if the expected course of labor deviates from the norm.