Advancing clarity and compassion in maternal healthcare

What is a Vaginal Examination (VE)? 

A vaginal examination during labor is a clinical procedure where a trained provider gently inserts two gloved fingers into the vagina to feel the cervix.

It helps to assess:

  • Cervical dilation (how open the cervix is)

  • Effacement (how thin/soft the cervix has become)

  • Fetal station (how low the baby’s head is)

  • Membrane status (intact or ruptured)

It is the standard method used today, but it is subjective, varies between providers, and can require multiple repeat exams during labor.

Lidavex – Why CerviLite (Brand Themed)
At Lidavex, we understand that childbirth is one of the most important moments in a mother's life. Our mission is to explore ways to support labor with technologies that keep comfort, safety, and informed decision‑making at the center of care.

Why CerviLite for Labor Assessment

Most cervical exams in labor are still performed by touch alone. CerviLite is a patented, investigational light‑based technology being studied to add objective, LiDAR‑inspired measurements alongside traditional manual examinations.

Today in labor rooms

Manual checks by feel

Clinicians use a gloved hand to estimate how much the cervix has opened and thinned. This method is standard, but it depends on individual technique and can vary between examiners.

  • Subjective by design. The same cervix may be described differently by different clinicians, even within the same shift.

  • More checks, more contact. Multiple vaginal exams during labor have been associated in studies with higher rates of fever and certain infections, particularly after membrane rupture.

  • Minimal data trail. Findings are usually recorded as brief text (for example, "5 cm, 80%") without visual trends over time.

CerviLite

LiDAR‑inspired insight at the bedside

CerviLite is being developed to use light to study the cervix during labor and generate objective numerical measurements that may complement manual assessment.

  • Numeric information. Clinical studies are evaluating whether light‑based sensing can provide consistent values related to dilation, effacement, and tissue characteristics.

  • Shared data for teams. CerviLite is being designed to create digital records that may support structured communication models such as TeamBirth.

  • Studying exam frequency. Ongoing investigations are exploring whether objective data could help inform how often manual vaginal exams are needed.

  • Built for research and quality. Current use is limited to controlled clinical evaluation, with data intended to support research and quality‑improvement initiatives.

CerviLite is a patented investigational medical device and has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as marketing or promotion of an unapproved device.

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