Ideally, the process of delivery should begin and take place by itself, at the appointed time and according to a certain scenario. But there are situations in which this process requires external intervention in the form of a certain set of procedures and actions, called stimulation of childbirth. The main reason leading to this procedure is the probability of occurrence of some risks for both the mother and the child.
Such risks include:
- The likelihood that the child will be borne. In a similar situation, the stimulation of labor begins between 41 and 42 weeks of pregnancy.
- In a situation, if the process of water separation has already occurred, and the fights have not started after 24 hours, as it should be.
- If a woman in labor is diagnosed with diabetes, she is offered stimulation of labor at the 39-40th week of pregnancy, provided that the development of the fetus occurs within the limits of the norms.
- If the mother is suffering from kidney failure and other chronic diseases.
But there are situations in which the woman giving birth herself asks for stimulation of labor, for a number of personal reasons.
Currently, several methods of stimulation of labor are used, some can be used several times to achieve the most effective result, and some are used in aggregate.
Methods of stimulation of labor
Flaking of the amniotic membrane
The essence of the procedure is the gradual and accurate exfoliation of amniotic membranes surrounding the baby in the womb of the mother. This procedure can be repeated if necessary.
It is worth noting that, the procedure can be accompanied by a few unpleasant sensations. And there is a possibility that it will have to be repeated.
Use of prostaglandin
This drug should be considered hormone-like. It is administered to the parturient in the form of a tablet, gel or uterine ring inside the vagina. This drug promotes the "maturation" of the cervix and the beginning of contractions. This drug starts to act from 6 to 24 hours, it depends on the form in which it is applied. There are cases when there is a need for repeated application of this method.
This method is the most common method of stimulation of labor; is the most effective and has the least number of undesirable effects. The only thing that can rarely threaten the use of prostaglandin is the occurrence of hyperstimulation of the uterus, but this process is not irreversible.
The method by which the amniotic fluid is opened
This method is used very rarely in modern medicine, and only if for some reason it is not possible to use another method. However, in our country there are still maternity hospitals, in which this method is used very often, while it is not recommended.
The essence of the procedure is that a small puncture of the amniotic fluid with a special instrument is done by a doctor or midwife.
This method does not always lead to the desired result, and it carries with it the risk of infection of a child who, after opening the amniotic fluid, remains unprotected.
Use of oxytocin
This drug is used only if all of the above methods did not lead to the onset of contractions, or they are ineffective. This method is used in the most extreme cases, because its use has some drawbacks.
This drug, which is hormonal, is administered intravenously via the dropper; this ensures its fastest entry into the bloodstream. In addition, the dropper allows the medical staff to regulate the speed with which the drug enters the body, this is to ensure that the amount of oxytocin, obtained by a patient, does not exceed what is necessary for each specific case.
The application of this method carries with it some risks, for example, too intensive contractions of the uterus, which in turn can cause hypoxia in the child. There is also a serious risk of the possibility of hyperstimulation of the uterus.
If none of the methods considered leads to the proper result, doctors can decide to give birth to a cesarean section.