What does it mean when a client asks about the baby being at "minus one"?

When a client refers to the baby being at "minus one," they are indicating that the fetal presenting part is 1 cm above the ischial spines. In obstetrics, the positioning of the fetal head in relation to the ischial spines is measured in terms of station. The ischial spines are considered the zero point, or "0 station," in this measurement system.

When the fetal head is described as being at "minus one," it signifies that the head has not yet passed through the ischial spines and is positioned above them. This is an important assessment in the progress of labor, as it helps healthcare providers understand how far the baby has descended into the birth canal.

In contrast, if the fetal presenting part were at “plus one,” this would indicate the baby is descending and positioned below the ischial spines. The other options relate to different depths of descent in relation to the ischial spines but do not accurately capture the meaning of the client’s statement about being at "minus one." Hence, the understanding of fetal station is crucial for monitoring labor progression.