Routine Cervical Exams - You Don't Need 'Em!

The best thing about routine cervical exams?

You don't need them!

No really.

You don't need them to tell how far along a labour is.

Instead, watch for these behavorioural changes in the labouring person:

✨ No longer able to talk through contractions; contractions take all of their focus = transitioning into active labour
✨ Beginning to vocalize during contractions; repeating a "labour ritual" through each contraction to get through; deep inward focus = active labour
✨ Vocalizing loudly through contractions; increasing nausea; saying "I can't do this!"; full body shakes; nothing's helping = transition
✨ Holding breath, grunting over peak of contractions = beginning to push
✨ Roaring/yelling; holding breath and bearing down several times with each contraction = active pushing

As a doula, I'm almost always able to tell how many cms a birthing person is dilated based solely on their behaviour in response to their labour.

Routine cervical exams are uncomfortable and disruptive to physiological birth at best and the primary cause of increased risk of infection at worst.

If your care provider wants to do a cervical exam you (or your partner or your doula) can ask:

✨ Why?
✨ What will be done with the information from the exam/how will it change what happens next?
✨ Is there something specific you're concerned about or want more information for?

Have you booked your doula yet? Fill in an inquiry form today to get the ball rolling!