Breaking waters not needed in routine births
- Thread starter hermanntrude
- Start date
Well, she initially said they never use it to induce labor, then she admitted she was reaching with that language and changed it to rarely. The literature here says the amniotomy is primarily used for speeding contractions. Which is what she said.
Though this study seems to suggest that there is no evidence of any statistical benefit to such a procedure, and indeed may be more harmful due to increased risks of infection, umbilical blockages, etc.
Though this study seems to suggest that there is no evidence of any statistical benefit to such a procedure, and indeed may be more harmful due to increased risks of infection, umbilical blockages, etc.
The main methods of inducing labour include:
Breaking the Water . This is where the membranes containing the foetus and amniotic fluid are ruptured artificially in the hope that labour may then be stimulated. However this is not always he case and risks include causing an infection of the amniotic sac and possible prolapse of the umbilical cord . This could need a caesarean section in order to be remedied.
Oxytocin or Pitocin . This is a hormone and an artificial version of that hormone, respectively. It is given via an IV and causes contractions. Usually the amount is gradually increased until contractions are strong and regular. However, this method may cause foetal distress. For just this reason, the U.S. FDA declared that this drug was only to be used if necessary and not for convenience or scheduling reasons. Other risks include hyperstimulation of labour, hypotension, water intoxication (intoxication of the amniotic fluid) and uterine rupture.
Prostaglandin Gels/Suppositories . These are generally used when the cervix is dilated less than 3 centimetres, hard, posterior, not effaced, or barely effaced, or any combination of the above. By using Bishop's Score your practitioner will decide if this is the best place to start. This can be used alone, or more frequently will be done 12 or more hours prior to the use of Pitocin. Frequently it will be given more than once over the course of an evening/night. A suppository will be placed in or near the cervix during a vaginal exam. Risks include hyperstimulation and uterine rupture.
Misoprostol . This is a pill that can either be ingested orally or placed near the cervix. It is used in circumstances like those described in the point above.
Amniotomy . Amniotomy is the artificial rupture of the amniotic sac with an amniohook or an amnicot .
Nipple stimulation , intercourse and certain foods may also induce labour.
Amniotomy . Amniotomy is the artificial rupture of the amniotic sac with an amniohook or an amnicot .
weird that they bothered to post amniotomy as two different methods with different names. Gives the site a slightly lower credibility.
Even so, it does state that breaking the waters doesnt always work and has risks, which is basically what we're saying. And now we have some statistical evidence that amniotomy doesnt speed up births, which probably goes hand-in-hand with not inducing births too.
you put words in my mouth.
Anyway, credibility aside, it seems that amniotomy is a procedure sometimes used, often in conjunction with other methods to either bring about labour or speed it up, and the article I posted shows that this may be a misguided thing to do.