The Purple Line and Dilation

Avoiding interventions, such as vaginal checks can help decrease your chances of getting a c-section. Being hands-off can help a women in labor. However, many doctors want to know how far a woman has dilated. There are other things that are important too, the cervix moves forward, the cervix effaces (thins), the cervix softens, the baby rotates, and the baby descends (moves down the stations).

Check the Purple Line
Vaginal checks aren't without error and they can inhibit labor. Midwives have found that the purple or red line can also accurately predict how far a woman has dilated. Here is some more information about checking dilation via the purple line.

• Birth Without Fear  (contains NSFW images)
• Melbourne Doula
• Science and Sensibility (contains NSFW images)

Measure the Space Between the Fundus and Zyphoid Bone 

• Birth Unplugged

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Tender Embrace Birthing offers childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care classes and support.