What psychological effect does a laboring woman typically experience when fully dilated?

When a laboring woman reaches full dilation, she often experiences an increased urge to push or bear down. This physiological response is a crucial part of the second stage of labor. At this stage, significant pressure is exerted on the pelvic floor and rectum by the descending fetal head, which triggers this instinctual urge. This powerful compulsion to push helps facilitate the birth process by aiding in the expulsion of the baby from the birth canal.

The intense urge to push is not only a physical response but also creates a psychological shift that focuses the laboring woman on the impending delivery. It signifies the transition to the active pushing phase, which is typically characterized by a determination and readiness for the culmination of labor.

In contrast, heightened anxiety and fear, desire for medication, and indifference toward labor are not typical psychological states associated with being fully dilated. As women progress through labor, their focus generally shifts toward the act of pushing rather than these competing emotional responses.