Nobody looks forward to vaginal examinations during labor. VE’s (vaginal examinations) can be a huge source of stress especially if having an unmedicated birth. You can feel vulnerable and exposed especially if you’ve only just met your nurse or midwife.

Anticipating discomfort can make vaginal examinations during labor more uncomfortable as we tend to tense our muscles (including the pelvic floor). If the cervix is in an anterior position it can be challenging to reach making it painful for some women. If your cervix hasn’t moved to a more central position at the time of the examination your careprovider may ask you to put your fists under your buttocks to make it easier to get to your cervix. Although routine for staff, these dilation checks can be stressful as labor progresses and lying down for any length of time can be very uncomfortable.

Such an intimate examination should only take place when you have had an opportunity to discuss the reason for the examination and have decided to have the cervical check. You also have the choice of not having the checks and you don’t have to explain your reasons to anyone. Also keep in mind that at any point during the examination you can ask your careprovider to stop.

How much discomfort felt is dependent on several factors - the person doing it and whether your brain sees this as a threat and sends danger signals to the body instead of safety signals.

As frequent VEs (vaginal exams) are known to be a source of infection minimising them makes sense unless there is a compelling medical reason and the information gained is likely to change your plan of care. (Due to Covid-19 some hospitals are not admitting birth partners until labor is well established which unfortunately means more vaginal examinations).

New Hypnobirthing Breathing for Vaginal Exams

Combining mental focus and slow breathing can make vaginal examinations more tolerable and less stressful.

Mental focus gives the threat radar of the brain something else to do and interrupts ‘danger’ signals. Slow breathing encourages activation of the parasympathetic response (relaxation response) to increase signals of ‘safety’.

Our latest addition to the GentleBirth Hypnobirthing App was created specifically to prepare you for vaginal exams (it’s also helpful for smear tests or if you’re having a cerclage removed at your Doctor’s office). You’ll practice this session in the last few weeks of your pregnancy along with your pelvic floor exercises so you can actively relax your pelvic floor during examinations and the 2nd stage of labor.

Practice while you’re doing your perineal massage (especially if your partner is helping you).

I’d love to hear from you and how this helped you during your baby’s birth.

Tracy

Additional Resources

Learn more about how your cervix changes

Is it possible to check your own cervix?

Learn more about cervical checks before labor

Vaginal examinations - are they necessary? Learn about other ways to check for progress in labor. A symptom of a cervix centric birth culture.