What is the active phase of pushing?

• A. Descent - the mother experiences an involuntary urge to push and rotation to occiput anterior
• B. Descent without urge to push
• C. Cervical dilation slows
• D. Placenta delivery begins

Answer: (A)

Active pushing is the part of labor when the cervix is fully dilated and the mother has a strong, involuntary urge to bear down with contractions. That urge helps push the presenting part downward, and the head typically rotates toward occiput anterior as it moves through the pelvis. This combination of descent with the urge to push and rotation to occiput anterior best describes the active pushing phase. Descent without urge describes passive descent, cervical dilation slowing isn’t about pushing, and placenta delivery begins in the third stage after birth.