Background - vaginal examination and assessment of the cervix is currently considered to be the gold standard for assessment of labour progress. However, accuracy studies approx. 48-56%, say they are unpleasant, intrusive, and could increase the risk of infection. The presence of a purple line during labour, seen to rise from the anal margin and extend between the buttocks as labour progresses has been reported. The study described in this paper aimed to assess in what percentage of women in labour a purple line was present, clear and measurable and to determine if any relationship existed between the length of the purple line and cervical dilatation and or station of the foetal head.
Results - the purple line was seen at some point in labour for 109 women (76%) there was a positive correlation between length of the purple line and cervical dilatation and the station of the foetal head.
Conclusion - The purple line does exist and where the line is present, it may provide a useful guide for clinicians of labour progress along side other measures.
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