A primigrаvidа аt 39 weeks оf gestatiоn is оbserved for 2 hours in the intrapartum unit. The fetal heart rate has been normal. Contractions are 7 to 11 minutes apart, lasting 20 to 30 seconds in duration, and of mild intensity. Cervical dilation is 1 to 2 cm and uneffaced (unchanged from admission). Membranes are intact. The patient lives 10 minutes from the hospital. The nurse should expect the woman to be