In labor, a station of +1 indicates what about the position of the presenting part?

• A. 1 centimeter above the ischial spine
• B. 1 centimeter at the ischial spine
• C. 2 centimeters above the ischial spine
• D. 1 centimeter below the ischial spine

Answer: (D)

During labor, station describes how far the presenting part has descended in the pelvis, using the ischial spines as the zero reference point. Negative numbers mean the part is above the spines, still high in the pelvis; positive numbers mean it has descended below the spines toward the birth canal.

A station of +1 means the presenting part is one centimeter below the ischial spine. It has started to descend past the spine but is not yet at the level of the spine or deeper in the pelvis. If the presenting part were at the spine, the station would be zero; if it were above, the numbers would be negative; if it were further below, you’d see a larger positive number (for example, +2).