During fetal scalp monitoring, a primigravida woman has a scalp pH of 7.10 at 39 weeks of gestation. What should be done next?

In fetal scalp monitoring, a scalp pH of 7.10 indicates a concerning level of acidosis in the fetus, which can signify acidemia and may suggest that the fetus is not tolerating labor well. When the pH falls below 7.20, it is often considered an indication for intervention because it suggests that the fetus may be in distress and experiencing compromised oxygenation.

Considering the gestational age of 39 weeks and the finding of a scalp pH at this level, the most appropriate and immediate course of action is to prepare for delivery. This is necessary because continuing the labor process without addressing the potential fetal distress could lead to serious complications, including neurological damage or other outcomes related to inadequate oxygen supply.

While continuous monitoring may seem reasonable in certain contexts, the specific pH reading indicates that the fetus is likely experiencing distress, warranting a decisive intervention rather than allowing labor to progress without changes. Other interventions like administering betamethasone or a tocolytic agent are not appropriate in this scenario because they serve different purposes (betamethasone is for fetal lung maturation typically used in cases of imminent preterm delivery and tocolytics are used to halt preterm labor) and do not address the immediate need to