Pregnancy is filled with anticipation, and as your due date approaches, understanding what happens during labor can bring peace of mind. One key part of labor management is the cervical exam—a simple but important check that helps your healthcare team assess how your body is progressing toward delivery.
In this blog, we’ll break down the cervical exam, what it tells us, who you might want to have in the delivery room, and when procedures like episiotomy may come into play.
What Is a Cervical Exam?
A cervical exam is a manual check performed by your doctor or midwife during labor. The goal is to evaluate how ready your body is for birth. It’s a quick internal exam done using gloved fingers to check for:
- Dilation – how open your cervix is (measured in centimeters from 0 to 10 cm)
- Effacement – how thin or soft the cervix has become (measured in percentage)
- Station – how far down the baby’s head has moved into the pelvis
- Position – the location and angle of the cervix
- Consistency – whether the cervix feels soft or firm
This information helps guide decisions about when to push, how far along you are in labor, and whether interventions are needed.
Cervical exams may be slightly uncomfortable, especially during active labor, but they are generally brief and important for your care plan (ACOG, 2020).
Who Should Be in the Delivery Room?
Labor and delivery are deeply personal, and having the right people by your side can be comforting. Whether it’s your partner, a family member, a friend, or a doula, your support system plays a powerful role.
When planning your birth, consider:
- Who helps you feel safe and relaxed?
- Are there cultural or personal preferences to honor?
- What are the hospital or birthing center’s visitor policies?
Most hospitals allow one to two support persons in the delivery room. Talk to your care team ahead of time so everyone’s on the same page (WHO, 2018).
What Is an Episiotomy and Why Might It Be Needed?
Sometimes during labor, your healthcare provider may decide that a small surgical cut—called an episiotomy—is necessary to help the baby come out more safely.
What Is an Episiotomy?
An episiotomy is a cut in the perineal area—the space between the vaginal opening and the rectum. This procedure is done by a doctor or nurse midwife if they determine it can help avoid complications such as:
- Severe tearing
- Tearing that extends into the rectum
- Fetal distress requiring a quicker delivery
Types of Episiotomy:
- Midline – a straight cut downward
- Right Lateral – angled to the right
- Left Lateral – angled to the left
These cuts are typically small and easier to repair than irregular, jagged tears. While any perineal trauma can be uncomfortable, an episiotomy has defined edges, which can help in faster healing and fewer complications (Kettle et al., 2012).
The procedure is done with local anesthesia to numb the area, and it is repaired with stitches after delivery. You’ll receive guidance on aftercare to support healing and comfort.
Final Thoughts
Your labor journey is unique, and so are your preferences and needs. Understanding what happens during a cervical exam, who you want with you, and the potential for procedures like episiotomy empowers you to be part of the conversation.
As you prepare for delivery, don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare team about:
- What to expect during labor checks
- Your support system and preferences
- Pain management and comfort strategies
- When and why an episiotomy might be recommended
With the right information and a caring team, you’ll feel more confident and prepared as you welcome your baby into the world.
References (APA Style)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). Obstetric care consensus: Safe prevention of the primary cesarean delivery. https://www.acog.org
- Kettle, C., Dowswell, T., & Ismail, K. M. K. (2012). Continuous and interrupted suturing techniques for repair of episiotomy or second-degree tears. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 11, CD000947. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000947.pub3
- World Health Organization. (2018). WHO recommendations: Intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550215