| In certain instances, your Obstetrician may suggest that your labour is induced, or ''started off'' artificially. This is known as induction of labour, and is most commonly done by breaking your waters (if your cervix is open enough to allow this to be done, ie more than 0.5cm dilated). If the cervix is tightly closed, you will often be given vaginal prostaglandin tablets or gel every 6-8 hours (usually for a maximum of 2 days); these should ripen the cervix and allow it to open. Then your waters can hopefully be broken. This is known as ARM (artificial rupture of membranes). Once the waters have gone, you may go into labour by yourself but more often than not, a small dose of oxytocin (pitressin, syntocinon) given intravenously (into a vein) will co-ordinate and speed up your contractions. |
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