A late-stage pregnancy often involves the internal or cervical exam, which offers specific insights into the progression toward labor. This check can feel intense, leading many expectant parents to wonder exactly what a doctor is feeling for. A frequent question is whether the provider can feel the baby’s head during this manual assessment. This procedure allows a healthcare provider to physically assess the baby’s position relative to the birth canal.
The Core Purpose of the Cervical Exam
Yes, a healthcare provider can often feel the baby’s presenting part—typically the head—during a digital cervical examination. This manual check uses one or two gloved fingers inserted into the vagina to reach the cervix. The purpose is to gather objective measurements regarding cervical changes in preparation for delivery.
The provider uses touch to assess three primary components. First, they measure dilation, the opening of the cervix, reported in centimeters from zero to ten. Second is effacement, which refers to how thin the cervix has become, measured as a percentage, with 100% indicating a paper-thin cervix. The third measurement is the consistency of the cervix, noting if it remains firm or has softened, suggesting hormonal preparation for labor. If the baby is head-down, the provider feels the firm, round skull, confirming the baby’s position and assessing how low the head has moved into the pelvis.
What “Feeling the Baby’s Head” Reveals
Feeling the baby’s head allows the provider to determine the Fetal Station, a measurement of how far the baby has descended into the maternal pelvis. This measurement is crucial for predicting the progress of labor. The reference point for Fetal Station is the ischial spines, two bony protrusions located midway inside the pelvis.
When the lowest point of the baby’s head is level with these spines, the station is recorded as zero (0). Numbers with a minus sign, such as -3 or -1, mean the head is still positioned above the ischial spines and higher in the pelvis. Positive numbers, like +1 or +3, indicate the head has moved past the spines and is descending closer to the vaginal opening.
The concept of Fetal Station is closely related to Engagement, which is reached when the widest part of the baby’s head has passed through the pelvic inlet. Engagement typically corresponds to the 0 station or sometimes slightly above it, at -1.
When and Why These Exams Occur
Cervical examinations are performed at specific times during the end of pregnancy and throughout labor for different reasons. Routine checks are often offered during prenatal appointments starting around 36 or 37 weeks of gestation. The goal of these late-pregnancy checks is to establish a baseline of cervical dilation and effacement before labor begins.
While these routine checks cannot predict exactly when labor will start, they offer information on the body’s readiness. Examinations are performed more frequently once active labor begins or if the woman is admitted to the hospital. During labor, the exam monitors the rate of cervical change and descent, ensuring the process is progressing safely.
Checks may also be performed earlier in pregnancy if there are specific medical concerns, such as suspected preterm labor or ruptured membranes. The timing and frequency of these examinations are always a point of discussion between the patient and the healthcare team.