The Truth About Cervical Exams

In this episode, Ciarra and Samantha discuss the topic of cervical exams during pregnancy and labor. They explain what a cervical exam is and what providers are looking for during the exam. They discuss the reasons why providers offer cervical exams and the potential benefits and drawbacks of getting them. They emphasize that cervical exams are not a crystal ball and do not accurately predict when labor will start or progress. They also highlight the importance of informed consent and the right to decline cervical exams. The episode concludes with a reminder that the decision to have a cervical exam is ultimately up to the individual.

Takeaways

• Cervical exams during pregnancy and labor are not a crystal ball and do not accurately predict when labor will start or progress.
• The decision to have a cervical exam is up to the individual, and informed consent is important.
• Cervical exams can provide information about the cervix's position, baby's position, and progress during labor.
• Cervical exams carry the risk of infection and accidental breaking of the water bag.
• Providers may offer cervical exams to gather information for potential inductions or to establish a baseline for labor progress.

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Intro and Outro music by Longing for Orpheus. You can find them on Spotify!