Ep 306: Tracking Labor Progress: Vaginal Exams Decoded
Birth With Power
Dr. Nicole C. Rankins
4.8 • 650 Ratings
🗓️ 28 October 2025
⏱️ 26 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Vaginal exams are one of the most common — and most misunderstood — parts of labor. They can empower you or leave you feeling powerless. The difference? Knowing what they really mean.
In this episode, I’m giving you a sneak peek inside The Birth With Power Pathway, my upcoming childbirth education program. We’ll demystify vaginal exams — what they measure, how often they should be done, and how to make them more comfortable and respectful. By the end, you’ll understand how to stay informed, set boundaries, and keep your power every step of the way.
You’ll learn:
- What dilation, effacement, and fetal station actually measure
- How to interpret those numbers (and why they can vary between providers)
- How often vaginal exams are typically done — and when you can say “no”
- Tips to make exams more comfortable and less painful
- What true informed consent looks like during labor
Resources Mentioned:
The Birth With Power Pathway — join the waitlist: drnicolerankins.com/email
Follow me on Instagram: @drnicolerankins
Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power
Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:
• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital
• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early
• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Baginal exams are one of the most common parts of labor and one of the least understood |
| 0:06.4 | they can empower you or they can leave you feeling powerless. And the difference comes down to |
| 0:13.5 | one thing, knowledge. Let's talk about what those exams really mean and how to make them work for |
| 0:20.4 | you. |
| 0:26.1 | Welcome to the Birth with Power podcast where knowledge is power and power transforms birth. |
| 0:33.6 | I'm Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankin's mom of two and practicing board certified OBGYN with over 20 years |
| 0:39.6 | of experience and nearly 2,000 birth attended. I've seen firsthand how the hospital system can |
| 0:46.1 | leave women feeling unheard and uncertain, but that doesn't have to be your story. Here, you'll get |
| 0:51.8 | the knowledge, support, and strategies to take charge of your |
| 0:55.4 | birth experience so you can walk into the hospital feeling calm, confident, and empowered. |
| 1:01.7 | Note, this podcast is for educational purposes only and it's not a substitute for medical advice. |
| 1:07.2 | See the full disclaimer at Dr. Nicole Rankins.com forward slash disclaimer. Now let's get to it. |
| 1:14.0 | This podcast gives you real talk about pregnancy and birth, but imagine that support showing up |
| 1:19.3 | in your inbox each week too. That's what my birth with power brief does. Thousands of women |
| 1:25.4 | already rely on it as the perfect compliment to this show, |
| 1:28.8 | quick tips, mindset shifts, and small steps to keep you grounded through pregnancy all for free. |
| 1:34.4 | Get it now at Dr. Nicole Rankins.com forward slash email. |
| 1:39.1 | Well, hello there. Welcome to another episode of the podcast. This is episode number 306, whether it is your first |
| 1:47.2 | time being here or you've been here before. You know, I'm glad you're spending some time with me |
| 1:51.9 | today. This episode is special because I'm giving you a sneak peek into my forthcoming, updated |
| 1:59.0 | childbirth education class, the birth with power pathway. |
| 2:03.3 | Inside the pathway, I walk you step by step through everything you need to feel calm, |
... |
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