This is a great discussion
I guess, from what I know and have experienced, even internals during labour aren't necessary for a skilled caregiver who is used to normal labour and birth - they just KNOW what stage you're at by observation and asking you questions. The middy at my first birth knew I was in transition as soon as I arrived...I didn't, I was telling her it was taking ages and that I was further behind than I actually was! Then, she knew when I was ready to breathe the kid out and had the bath filling in time with my progress. I've spoken to midwives since who have talked about the way a woman moves, what she'll say, etc, and this comes from continuity of care, too, but not always (the one at my birth was the only midwife at the FBC I hadn't met before that day!).
So, in terms of internals during labour, a midwifery team that isn't reliant on monitors, machines that go beep and text books won't need to do internals to know where you're at and whether you're ready or too late for pain relief.
Issues about internals done outside of labour have been canvassed really well here! Particularly the difference between DTD and an internal - well explained, thanks
None of us here, that I've noticed, have taken the tack of 'Obs v midwives', and I don't - for me it comes down to experience with uninterrupted pregnancy and labour, and there ARE Obs out there who still believe in this! And there are middies in the system who don't, by the same token.
Mayaness you are absolutely right (I have to spread the love sorry...)
Woman in labour when you tune in you can sense where a Woman is... You don't need to poke your fingers up her hoo haa - that's a sacred space and should only be violated if absolutely necessary!
To add my personal experience - I requested a measurement during my 4th labour (M/w) and she said you are 7 cms. With the next contraction and my baby was born! I said after I found out: "I just have to do this on my own don't I"??? When my head came into my heart and I aligned myself with my Wisdom my body opened.
I inow this is different the OP was talking of cervix check prior to labour - however, again prelabour is telling you your body is fabulous! It's Wisdom is working. Your job is to align your head and your heart and tune into the Wise Woman energy...
You don't need his fingers to measure your progress to do that...
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