Category: Spontaneous Labor
I imagine when one starts researching labor and birth for the first time, it can be daunting to make sense of all the terms describing the various stages and phases. The terms tend to be used rather inconsistently, which makes things even more confusing. Phrases like first stage, latent phase, active phase, transition, second stage, […]
As labor progresses, there are wonderful changes and fluxes taking place. Some of the more noticeable physical changes are the baby repositioning and moving down; the contractions changing in intensity and frequency; and the cervix softening, thinning, moving forward, and dilating (opening). In hospitals, labor progress is primarily measured by the changes in cervical dilation […]
Pitocin augmentation may be suggested during spontaneous labor (labor that began without induction methods) if your clinician believes that your cervix is dilating (opening) at a slower than normal rate. Pitocin is a synthetic version of the hormone Oxytocin, which has several functions, including stimulating uterine contractions. Pitocin is a medication that is administered through […]
