A midwife suspects obstructed labour. Which assessment finding most strongly supports this suspicion?

A midwife suspects obstructed labour. Which assessment finding most strongly supports this suspicion?
- Progressive cervical dilatation and steady descent
- No descent despite adequate contractions, with increasing caput and moulding
- Mild nausea during early labour
- Fetal hiccups between contractions
A woman has obstructed labour and signs of fetal compromise. The team is preparing definitive management. Which principle should guide care?
- Continue labour with oxytocin in every case
- Delay intervention until the woman becomes exhausted
- Stabilise the mother and expedite birth by the safest appropriate route
- Encourage oral fluids and discharge her home