Augmentation Following Water Breaking

In class, we extensively discuss the spiral of interventions that add risk and may not necessarily improve the outcomes. Although the downward spiral can be started by almost any intervention, the most common steps into the cycle are induction/augmentation or pain medication.

Here is an interesting link about general induction/augmentation procedures particularly when the bag of waters has ruptured, involving patience and risk.

While these are very important topics that should be discussed with your provider before you yourself are in labor, realize that you may have unknowingly either made decisions about your care or limited your choices by your provider (or the provider's group policies). The provider(s) have a certain way of doing things that may or may not be flexible depending on your desires and individual situation. So, the take home message is to choose your provider carefully! Talk to me if you have questions about finding a provider whose practice lines up with your birth philosophy.