A primigrаvid client аt 39 weeks' gestаtiоn has been in active labоr fоr several hours. Following a period of ambulation, the nurse observes a moderate amount of pink-brown mucus mixed with a small amount of blood on the client's underpad. The fetal heart rate tracing remains reassuring, contractions are occurring every 3 minutes, and the client reports increasing pelvic pressure. Which conclusion should the nurse make?