One means of evaluating a patient’s progress during labor is with the use of a pelvic exam.

Pelvic exams are used sparingly during labor and delivery as their is a relationship between increased numbers of exams and increasing risk of infection. But the overall risk is small, so they certainly should be performed whenever they are needed.

This video demonstrates the clinical findings and one method for evaluating the dilatation and effacement of the cervix, fetal presentation and station of the presenting part.