North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

During labor, what happens to maternal temperature?

1. It remains constant

2. It significantly decreases

3. It is slightly elevated and peaks during delivery

4. It becomes dangerously high

The correct answer is: It is slightly elevated and peaks during delivery

During labor, maternal temperature is slightly elevated and typically peaks during delivery due to several physiological changes. As a woman goes through labor, there is an increase in muscle activity and physical exertion, which can cause the body temperature to rise slightly. Additionally, the release of hormones such as oxytocin, which is involved in the labor process, can also contribute to this increase in temperature. This slight elevation is a normal response to the demands of labor, including the stress on the body and the metabolic changes that accompany it. Monitoring maternal temperature is important during labor for indicators of infection or other complications, but a peak in temperature just before delivery is a normal phenomenon rather than a cause for immediate concern. Understanding this physiological change helps midwives provide supportive care and accurately interpret the mother's condition throughout the labor process.