Amniotomy, or breaking your water, is a method of inducing or augmenting labor (speeding it up). It has been frequently used routinely in early labor for many pregnant women or during an induction of labor. The belief was that it would speed up labor and help prevent a cesarean section (c-section).
A recent meta-analysis found that while amniotomy may speed labor up a bit, the risks of doing so is not worth it for women who are experiencing a normal labor. One trial found that there was a marked increase in fetal distress that lead to cesarean delivery when amniotomy was used.
The main finding is that when labor is progressing normally there is no need to intervene. Intervention should be used only when there is a problem. To intervene when there is not a problem only increases the likelihood that there will be a problem from the intervention.
There are other ways to increase the speed of labor, that do not incur the risks of amniotomy and some of the powerful drugs like Pitocin. Some of these ways to speed up labor naturally include:
- Use of upright positions
- Movement (walking, dancing, swaying, etc.)
- Calm mother down by using relaxation techniques
- Acupressure in certain points
- Nipple stimulation
- Orgasm
- Ensure that the bladder is empty
Your midwife or doctor may be able to give you other options to help you labor comfortably without the added risks from breaking your water.
Source:
Fraser WD, Turcot L, Krauss I, Brisson-Carrol G. Amniotomy for shortening spontaneous labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1996, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD000015. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000015.pub2
