In the context of childbirth, station refers to the position of the baby’s presenting part (usually the head) in relation to the mother’s pelvis, specifically the ischial spines. The ischial spines are bony landmarks inside the pelvis that serve as a reference point for measuring how far the baby has descended into the birth canal. This measurement is expressed in centimeters and ranges from -5 to +5. A station of -5 means the baby’s head is still high in the pelvis, while 0 station indicates the head is level with the ischial spines. A positive station (+1 to +5) means the baby is moving further down, with +5 indicating crowning, when the head is visible at the vaginal opening.
Assessing station is a crucial part of labor management because it helps healthcare providers determine how labor is progressing and whether interventions may be necessary. A baby that remains at a high station for too long could indicate issues such as cephalopelvic disproportion (when the baby’s head is too large for the pelvis) or poor positioning, which may require repositioning techniques or even a cesarean section. Conversely, a steadily descending station typically signals that labor is advancing appropriately. By combining the station measurement with cervical dilation and effacement, clinicians can better assess the overall progress of labor and make informed decisions to support a safe delivery. #station #laboranddelivery
