Exploring women's experiences, views and understanding of vaginal examinations during intrapartum care: A meta-ethnographic synthesis

•Women suffer the experience of vaginal examinations, believing them a necessary part of childbirth.•Vaginal examinations are a core part of the partogram assessment tool and embedded in the biomedical model of care.•Context of care changes midwifery care delivered.•Continuity of carer improves women's experience of vaginal examinations.•Vaginal examinations reinforce patriarchal care provision.