If a patient in active labor has contractions every 8 minutes that last 45 seconds and are increasing in intensity, what type of labor might she be experiencing?

The situation described indicates that the patient is experiencing contractions every 8 minutes with a duration of 45 seconds, which are increasing in intensity. This pattern is characteristic of normal labor rather than hypotonic labor. In a typical labor progression, contractions become more frequent, longer in duration, and more intense as the labor progresses.

Hypotonic labor is defined by weak or ineffective contractions that do not lead to cervical dilation or effacement, often occurring when contractions are infrequent or short in duration. Since the contractions in this scenario are both increasing in intensity and occurring every 8 minutes, it points away from hypotonic labor.

Normal labor is indicated by contractions that gradually become more frequent, strong, and regular rather than weak or ineffective. The presence of contractions every 8 minutes that last for 45 seconds and are intensifying does align more closely with the characteristics of normal labor.

Thus, considering the nature of the contractions described, the patient is likely experiencing normal labor.