Induced labour is the term used when a woman's labour starts artificially by means of medical intervention. It is used when a baby is significantly overdue, or if there is a medical requirement to deliver the baby.

There are three methods of inducing labour, comprising a membrane sweep, prostaglandin insert, and a syntocinon drip.

A membrane sweep is often the first method to be used. This involves a midwife or doctor inserting fingers into the cervical area and gently separating the membranes that surround the baby from the cervix. This may be repeated two or three times before moving on to the next method of induction, prostaglandin.

This is inserted into the vagina via a tablet, pessary or measure of gel. It ripens the cervix which in turn stimulates the beginnings of labour, and is the most common method of induction. Women will be given a second dose of the prostaglandin tablet or gel if labour does not begin within 24 hours. However, only one pessary will be given as this works over a 24 hour period.

The final method is the syntocinon drip, and is only given if all else fails. The drip is placed directly into the woman's arm and, once labour has begun, the speed at which the drip runs will be altered to ensure that the woman can cope with the contractions.

Syntocinon is known to produce a hard and fast labour, therefore women induced by this method will need constant monitoring.


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