A 29-year-old woman who is pregnant for the first time and is 40 weeks gestation is admitted to labor and delivery. She is 3-cm dilated, 80% effaced, and head at 0 station. She and her husband have been to prepared childbirth classes and are eager to give birth naturally. During her first contraction in the hospital, which lasts 30 seconds, the nurse observes the client using rapid pant-blow breathing. What is the most appropriate response for the nurse to make at this time?