Physical examination in labour

When you physically examine a woman in labour, your focus will be on her abdomen, vagina and cervix, so remember to:

• Maintain her privacy
• Follow the principles of woman-friendly care (see Box 2.1)
• Examine her comprehensively (head to toe)
• Look for signs of anaemia (paleness inside the eyelids, pale fingernails and gums)
• Look for yellowish discoloration of the eyes (jaundice), which indicates liver disease.