Labour Augmentation: What Does It Mean?

1
(No Transcript)
2
Labour Augmentation What Does It
Mean? Sometimes, mommy, you may start feeling
the contractions and rush to the hospital
thinking you are about to give birth. However,
for some reason, your contractions slow down or
get stalled, or your cervix stops expanding. In
such a situation, your doctor will recommend
augmentation of labour. How is it different
from induced labour? Induced labour and labour
augmentation are performed at different stages.
While induced labour is stimulation of the uterus
to begin contractions, augmentation of labour is
stimulation of the uterus during the labour to
increase the contractions frequency, duration,
or strength. The latter is performed when your
labour has already started but is not
progressing, or the contractions are weak.
3

• When will you need labour augmentation?
• Expectant moms may require an intervention to
  jumpstart their labour due to many reasons,
  including but not limited to
• The cervix not dilating
• Weakened contractions due to epidural
• Irregular or far apart contractions
• Baby not moving along even after pushing for
  hours
• How is labour augmentation done?
• Based on where you are in your pregnancy, the
  doctor may opt for a medical procedure to break
  your water or administer medication to further
  the labour. Sometimes, they may use both these
  methods together. To rule out the chances of it
  being false labour, your doctor may wait and
  monitor your progress closely. They may even ask
  you to walk or do some breathing exercises to
  efface your cervix.

4

• If your labour is still progressing too slowly or
  not progressing at all, then your doctor may try
  any of the following methods
• Stimulating your nipples By rubbing or pressing
  down on your nipples, your body releases oxytocin
  hormone, which helps kickstart your contractions.
• Administering oxytocin If the above method
  doesnt work for you, the medical practitioner
  may prescribe an IV of synthetic oxytocin. This
  will help the uterine contractions to become
  stronger and more regular.
• Rupturing your membranes Although it sounds
  scary, it just means that the doctor will
  puncture a hole in your amniotic sac. Its
  performed in a situation where you are already in
  an active state of labour, but your cervix is
  dilating too sluggishly, i.e., less than 1 to 1.2
  cm per hour.  It can also be done if your baby is
  moving too slowly down the birthing canal.
• These methods, however, are not recommended if
  you have had a previous C-section delivery, other
  uterine surgeries or scarring or if your baby is
  in a breech position.

5

• In these circumstances, you may opt for more
  natural ways of labour augmentation like
• Walking around, squatting, standing or changing
  positions to facilitate labour
• Emptying the contents of your bowel or bladder as
  they can hinder your babys descent into the
  birthing canal
• Trying relaxation techniques including massages
  or yoga
• Are there any risks of labour augmentation?
• There are a few risks associated with the
  augmentation of labour, such as
• Synthetic oxytocin can lead to excessive or
  irregular contractions, which may adversely
  affect your babys heart rate or even lower the
  blood supply to him/her.
• Rupturing of membranes too early in labour can
  also lead to infections.

6

• It can cause umbilical cord prolapse, where the
  cord drops into the cervix before the baby. This
  can lead to the babys oxygen supply being cut
  off and would require an emergency C-section
  surgery.
• These are worst-case-scenarios which you dont
  have to worry about. If the labour still doesnt
  progress after augmentation, then your doctor may
  use forceps or vacuum to extract your baby or opt
  for a C-section delivery.
• Whichever way it is, your doctor will do their
  best to bring your little one into this world
  healthy and safely.

7
To Know more About Stem Cell Banking visit
cordlifeindia.com or Toll Free Hotline [phone]
6200
Source https//www.cordlifeindia.com/blog/labour-
augmentation-what-does-it-mean/