Nearing the last trimester of pregnancy, you might begin to hear about cervical checks or exams. For many people, these seem like a routine part of late pregnancy and labor; But, what do they really tell us? And how should you, as a birthing person, feel about them?
If you’re wondering what’s happening when your healthcare provider performs a cervical exam or if you really should get them, you’re not alone. In this post, I’ll break down what cervical checks actually tell us and how your birth doula can support you through your choice to have them or not. Here is your crash course on cervical checks and doula support.
What Is a Cervical Check?
A cervical check, or exam, is when a healthcare provider examines your cervix to assess changes like dilation (how open the cervix is), effacement (how thinned out it is), and its position. It helps them gauge whether your body is preparing for labor or where you currently are in labor. However, it does not tell you how fast you will progress or when that will occur. Furthermore, cervical exams can be estimations and vary from provider to provider.
What Do Cervical Checks Really Tell Us?
The most common thing people hear about is cervical dilation, but it’s important to know that it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
Dilation: This measures how open your cervix is, typically in centimeters (0-10 cm). While it’s often the most talked-about aspect, it doesn’t always tell the whole story. You could go from 3 cm to 10 in an hour or days.
Effacement: This refers to how much your cervix has thinned out, a necessary step before it can fully dilate. Think of your cervix as a bundle of rubber bands. If you have a lot of them and try to stretch them out, its more difficult than if you have one thin band.
Position: The cervix can be in different positions depending on where you are in labor. It may be soft and forward during early labor or firm and high during early pregnancy.
It’s important to note that a cervical check doesn’t predict the exact timing of labor, how long it will last, or how intense your contractions will be. It just tells you where you currently are. However, sometimes that information brings comfort, reassurance, and insights to the birthing person.
The Benefits and Risks of Cervical Checks
There are some benefits to cervical exams, but they aren’t without their drawbacks.
Benefits:
Progress: A cervical check can give you an idea of how your body is progressing toward labor. It can tell you whether your cervix is softening, thinning, or dilating.
Positioning: It can also give insight into your baby’s position, which may impact how labor unfolds.
Risks:
Unpredictability: Dilation doesn’t always mean you’re close to labor. Some people stay at the same dilation for days or weeks.
Discomfort: Cervical exams can be uncomfortable or even painful, especially if you’re not in labor yet.
Anxiety: If you’re not dilated much or your cervix hasn’t changed, it can lead to anxiety or disappointment, even though these checks aren’t always reliable indicators of when labor will start.
Risk of Infection: Cervical exams also increase the risk of infection especially after your waters have broken.
Cervical Checks and Doula Support Together
One of the most valuable roles a doula plays during cervical exams is supporting you in making informed decisions. You have the right to choose whether or not you want cervical checks and when you’d like them to happen. I’m here to help you understand what’s going on and how to process the information.
If you decide to have a cervical exam, I’ll be right there with you, offering comfort and reassurance. Sometimes, just having someone by your side can make all the difference when you’re feeling vulnerable or uncomfortable during an exam.
Moreover, I can help you put the results into perspective. If you’re dilated to 3 cm but still have hours or days ahead of you, I’ll remind you that every labor is unique and that dilation alone doesn’t tell us everything. I’ll also help you stay calm and centered, especially if you’re feeling anxious or uncertain about what the exam results mean. Or, if we get useful information like an estimate on baby's station (where they are in the pelvis); we can use that to optimize labor positions to aid in baby's decent.
Wrapping It Up : Cervical Checks and Doula Support For You
Cervical checks can provide some insight into how your body is preparing for labor, but they don’t predict everything. As your doula, I’m here to help you navigate the process with confidence, making sure you feel informed, comfortable, and empowered in your choices. Remember, it’s your birth, and you deserve to feel in control!
If you want to take charge of your empowering birth in the Michiana area, let's connect. To learn more about the areas I serve for in person birth support, check out my Areas Served page. I also offer virtual/online birth planning support anywhere in the USA.
Together lets make you the center of your empowering birth choices!
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