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I too read with interest an article by Lesley Hobbs in Practising Midwife way back in 1998 referring to the purple-line which begins at the anal margin at the beginning of labour and creeps upwards and at full dilatation is expected to reach the nape of the buttocks. However, no scientific reasoning was given. She referred to an article in the Lancet by Byrne and Edmonds in 1997 : clinical method for evaluating progres in the first stage of labour 335 (8681) :122 Lesley's article in the PM was in the November 1998 edition Vol 1 :11 pp34-35. Hope this info may help. Jayne Jayne E Marshall Midwife Teacher University of Nottingham Post Graduate Education Centre City Hospital Hucknall Road Nottingham NG5 1PB. Tel : 0115 969 1169 ext. 45196. fax : 0115 962 8019. >>> [log in to unmask] 01/27/03 12:41am >>> It has been mooted that at full dilatation a red line appears between the buttock cheeks of birthing women. A local midwife has long referred to this red line. I have always been skeptical but I read an article recently by Gloria LeMay (www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/pushing.asp ) that referred to this red line . It was the first time I had seen anything in print. Does anyone have a scientific explanation for this occurrence?. If it happens at full dilataion could this be a result of pressure on the sacral plexus of nerves as the presenting part descends?? I am reluctant to incorporate this information into my teaching wihout an adequate explanation of how it occurs. It could save some unecessary VE's. I am exploring Gray's anatomy at the moment. Just for interest it was 44.1C here on Saturday...today it is 24C much more pleasant. Jenny Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.