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).