What does a negative station number indicate?

A negative station number indicates that the baby is positioned too high in the birth canal relative to the ischial spines, which are bony landmarks in the pelvis. In the context of childbirth, the station is measured in centimeters, with the ischial spines designated as zero station. A negative number signifies that the fetal head is above this reference point. This positioning suggests that the baby has not yet descended into the pelvis sufficiently for delivery, which is critical information for assessing the labor progress.

Understanding this helps in managing labor effectively, as providers monitor the station to determine when the mother might be nearing the pushing stage in the delivery process. Other options relate to different aspects of labor; for instance, a good delivery position would typically be at zero or positive station, while distress and readiness to push are not directly indicated by a negative station number.