Vaginal exams are one of the most common procedures during pregnancy and labor, but are they always necessary? In this episode, Deb sits down with certified nurse midwife Kara French to unpack when and why vaginal exams may be offered, what information they actually provide, and how parents can make informed decisions about their care.
Together, they explore the role of vaginal exams both before and during labor, including why some providers routinely suggest them at the end of pregnancy and when they may truly impact medical decision-making. Kara also shares her philosophy around consent, labor progression, and helping families understand that cervical dilation is only one small piece of the birth picture.
This thoughtful conversation offers expectant parents practical information, empowering questions to ask their care providers, and reassurance that they always have options when it comes to their bodies and birth experiences.
In this episode, we discuss:
- What vaginal exams are and the information they provide
- Routine cervical checks late in pregnancy
- When exams may or may not be medically helpful
- Labor progression beyond just cervical dilation
- Reasons someone may decline an exam
- Consent, autonomy, and informed decision-making in birth care
**Get the most out of each episode by checking out the show notes with links, resources and other related podcasts at: prenatalyogacenter.com
About Kara:
Kara French has been a registered nurse since 2006 and became a midwife in 2014. She has worked in both private practice and large hospital systems and currently attends home and hospital births while also providing complete gynecological care in private practice.
Connect with Kara:
Website: www.gaiamidwives.com
Check out similar Yoga| Birth| Babies episodes:
- Why Choose Home Birth with Kara Ffrench, CNM
- Induction at 39 Weeks: What the Data Says and What It Doesn’t with Dr. Elizabeth Langen
- Why to Reconsider Midwifery Care with Casey Selzer, CNM
- Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE
- If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!
To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:
Instagram & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter
Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center
