Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing - The Carter Center

- Malpresertaions
- Intrauterine death
9.2 Augmentation (Stimulation) Of Labour
Aguentation of labour refers to the process of promoting more
effective uterine contractions when labour has already begun
supontaneously but then becomes weak, irregular or
ineffective (hypotonic) that assistance is needed to strengthen
them. The most commonly used methods of labour
augmentation are also methods for induction of labour:
- Amniotomy
- Intravenous oxytocin infusion and nipple and breast
stimulation to increase endogenous oxytocin secretion.
Amnitomy is not as predicatble or effective stimulator of labour
as oxytocin induction. If may lead to increased incidence of
fetal head trauma and increase the risk of cord compression
and prolapse and of caesarean delivery.
Prequations regarding oxytocin assist are the same as for
primary induction of labour. A uterus may be very responsive
to oxytocin when it is used as augmentation. Be certain that
the drug is increased in small increaments only, and fetal
heart sounds are well monitored during the procedure.
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