Examination Overview
If you have symptoms of preterm labour, your doctor or midwife may examine you by feeling your cervix. If your contractions continue over a period of hours, you may be examined periodically to see whether your cervix is opening (dilating) or thinning (effacing).
These examinations allow your health professional to:
- Find out how much your cervix has opened and thinned.
- Find out how far the baby has moved down the birth canal (station).
- Check for fluid leaking from your vagina using a sterile speculum. If fluid is present, it will be tested to determine whether it is amniotic fluid, which is a sign that your amniotic sac has ruptured.
Why It Is Done
Vaginal examinations are done when a pregnant woman has:
- Uterine contractions that may have changed her cervix and may be preterm labour. The cervix may open and thin without strong or painful contractions.
- Unusual pelvic pressure or back pain.
- Vaginal bleeding.
Results
Preterm labour is diagnosed when a woman who is 20 to 37 weeks pregnant has uterine contractions and her cervix has changed, as seen with a vaginal examination.
Preterm labour is not diagnosed if contractions are occurring but the cervix is not becoming thinner or more dilated (open).
What To Think About
When a vaginal examination is not done to assess for preterm labour
When the amniotic membranes rupture early (preterm prelabour rupture of membranes, or pPROM), sterile speculum examinations are kept to a minimum, and digital examinations are avoided. This is meant to reduce the risk of infecting the uterus and fetus.
When the placenta is known to be overlapping or covering the cervix (placenta previa), vaginal examinations are completely avoided. Disturbing the placenta can trigger bleeding.
Credits
Current as of: February 11, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Sarah Marshall MD - Family Medicine
Thomas M. Bailey MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
William Gilbert MD - Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Kirtly Jones MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
