Scenario: Neena is a 23 year old female patient who is G1 PO at 38 weeks 6 days gestation of a singleton pregnancy

Scenario: Neena is a 23 year old female patient who is G1 PO at 38 weeks 6 days gestation of a singleton pregnancy. She was sent to the OB unit from the primary care provider’s office for external fetal monitoring of palpable contractions that occur every 6 minutes with duration of 30-60 seconds. The provider checked Neena’s cervix (vaginal examination) in the office and said she was -3, 25%, and 1cm with no evidence of leaking fluid or bloody show. 1) What is the significance of the vaginal assessment above?