Are routine vaginal examinations in labour beneficial

Downe S, Gyte GML, Dahlen HG, Singata M. Routine vaginal examinations for assessing progress of labour to improve outcomes for women and babies at term. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD010088. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010088.pub2. This report on the research looks at a systematic review called Routine vaginal examinations for assessing progress of labour to improve outcomes for women and babies at term. The full title of the paper is: Downe S, Gyte GML, Dahlen HG, Singata M. Routine vaginal examinations for assessing progress of labour to improve outcomes for women and babies at term. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 7. Art. No.: CD010088. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010088.pub2. In brief, it identifies that there is not enough research available to help us determine if routine vaginal exams in labour are of any benefit, and also highlights some risks for the routine use of routine vaginal examinations during labour