Excellent article Julie! I think I'll print it off and take it to my midwives. (not that they had any issues with my birth!) Thanks!
Hi Cricket, if you want to print it, you might like to click on the link and get the complete article - I only posted excerpts here.

I offer this article to all my doula clients who are first time mamas. Gloria's "External and Observed signs of Labour Progress" is excellent too - how to observe for progress and dilation without vaginal exams to 'measure' the cervix. Much less intrusive for the mother.