Five Ways to Know You’re Progressing WITHOUT a Vaginal Exam

Spontaneous Rupture of Membrane (SROM)

When your water breaks on its own, it is called Spontaneous Rupture of Membranes (SROM). It can happen at any time during labor. Only 10% of women have it happen before contractions start. When it does happen before contractions, the birthing person usually is 24 to 48 hours away from going into labor.

Contractions

Contractions steady at two to three minutes apart are a sign of active labor. You can expect to be about 6cm dilated. Usually, baby will be born in 4 to 8 hours. Be at your birth setting before this point by heading over at 5:1:1; that is contractions five minutes apart, lasting one minute each, for an entire one hour.

The Urge to Vomit

Many women experience morning sickness during pregnancy. This is nausea during labor. You may think you’re going to vomit. Most women just dry heave. It could be all the movement occurring inside your abdomen. It also may be related to an epidural. The feeling goes away as the birthing person moves into transition.

You Can No Longer Walk or Talk

As uncomfortable as it is, this is a good sign labor is progressing. Contractions last 60 to 90 seconds. Mothers can no longer joke or talk between contractions; it becomes a time to rest. Contractions become sacred, requiring all attention. This is transition. You are 15 minutes to 1 hour away from the pushing stage.

The Purple Line

In 76% of birthing persons, a purple line appears at the anus during labor. This line will ascend towards your lower back and, at 7cm in length, reach the intergluteal cleft (butt crack); here, you are 3 to 4cm dilated. The line reaches 10cm length when you are 10cm dilated, about half a thumb-length above the start of your cleft.

If you were holding off on a vaginal exam for as long as possible, this is the time to get one. You’ll be feeling the urge to push or bear down soon. You also could forgo the vaginal exam altogether and wait for your healthcare providers to tell you the baby’s scalp has begun to peekaboo during contractions. This is such an exciting time!

Wisdom The Sweetness