Vaginal Exams Don't Predict Labor
It's important to remember that you have the right to decline a vaginal exam if you don't feel comfortable with it. Simply staying dressed or politely saying "No, thanks" is enough to assert your choice. Always prioritize your comfort and autonomy during prenatal visits, and seek more information if needed to make informed decisions about your care.
Cervical exams during pregnancy, particularly in the later stages, are often seen as a routine part of prenatal care, but they can be uncomfortable and sometimes lead to unnecessary stress or interventions. These exams can introduce bacteria, and lead to an infection, as well as cause premature rupture of the membranes (breaking the waters).
Many women can feel pressured by their healthcare providers to undergo these exams, even though they may not provide significant information about when labor will begin. For instance, being told you are 3cm dilated doesn't necessarily mean labor is imminent; it could still be weeks away! Additionally, some women experience discomfort or even complications, such as cramping or bleeding, after an exam.
"Clients often misinterpret the residual symptoms of a vaginal exam for signs of labor starting on its own." - click to tweet!
Unless you are in labor or about to be induced, knowing your dilation or effacement is not too helpful. The exam may even hurt, or cause later issues. So why do many endure this highly inaccurate assessment? They felt pressured by their care provider. Often times I hear, ‘I know it doesn’t tell us much, but I just really wanted to know how dilated I was.’
Once upon a time, a client called me in tears stating that during an exam at her 41st week appointment, her OB stripped her membranes without her permission to get things going. Ouch!
A cervical exam may show that you are 3cm dilated but it could still take weeks before labor starts on its own. Some clients experience latent labor for days (or prodromal labor for weeks) following an exam - they cramp and bleed with mild contractions that keep them awake at night but don’t result in labor beginning.
Ultimately, if you don’t want to have a cervical exam, you don’t have to explain your reason for declining one. My tip to you is to stay dressed at your next visit or simply state “No, thanks” when offered - no one will force you into an examination. For more info on prenatal cervical checks, watch the video below and read on.
Labor is divided into four stages
No one can predict when your body will begin to labor. Here’s more info on the stages of labor listed below:
Stage ONE is further divided into three phases:
Phase I: Early labor also called the latent phase.
Phase II: Active labor (5cm or 6cm dilation to 8cm)
Phase III: Transition (8cm dilation to 10cm or "complete")
Stage TWO: also called the pushing stage.
Stage THREE: the birth of your placenta.
Stage FOUR: the hour after birth.
For an overview of labor and birth with suggestions for progress and comfort, keep this webpage linked from your phone.
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