Use of a Pocket-device Point-of-care Ultrasound to Assess Cervical Dilation in Labor: Correlation and Patient Experience

Patients in the 3rd trimester that require a digital cervical exam (DCE) for assessment of labor will be approached. After informed consent is obtained, one of two study investigators will perform a transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) using the glove-covered Butterfly iQ+ probe. The Butterfly iQ+ does not have a transperineal probe or setting, therefore, the "bladder" preset setting will be used. The "bladder" setting has been predetermined to provide the best cervical images. This pocket ultrasound is FDA-approved and is the standard of care for point of care ultrasounds in many institutions and is already used in our department. The TPUS will be performed by 1 of the 2 investigators with digital calipers. There will be 3 measurements: dilation, effacement, and station. The dilation measurements with be made from the inside margins of the cervix . Effacement will be measured by marking the thinnest and most easily imaged lip of the cervix. Zero station will be assumed to be 5 cm above the perineum, with distances from 6-10 cm corresponding to -1 to -5 station clinically. An independent, blinded examiner will then perform a traditional digital cervical exam, which will be recorded in EPIC. The study investigators will be blinded to the DCE measurement until the end of the study. The patient will act as their own control. Additionally, the investigators will collect EGA, race, ethnicity, age, BMI, and indication for assessment of the cervix.