Routine Amniotomy - Keep My Sac Intact! 6
Unlike what you see in the movies, only a very small percentage of women have their water break spontaneously as 
the first sign of labor. Most often, your water will break naturally while in labor, possibly during a strong contraction. It may happen early on, it may happen towards the end, and in rare cases, the baby may actually be born in the bag of water. Having your water broken artificially by an OB or midwife, also known as an amniotomy, is one of the most common medical interventions performed today. A long, thin instrument with a hook on the end is inserted into the vagina, and through the cervix, to tear the amniotic membranes open. The hope of the medical provider is to speed up your labor through this procedure. But is it really working? Is it really making labor faster? Is it benefiting anyone? Studies are saying no. continue reading »
reasons/emergencies, our culture has been putting more and more mothers and babies in danger due to the abuse of this method when unnecessary. What is especially shocking is reading a recent article about the overuse of pitocin (one of the main drugs used to induce labor) to the point where it is intentionally administered in the highest dose possible to purposefully cause fetal distress so that the doctor has a reason to perform a c-section. Not only does this put the mother in danger of rupturing her uterus (especially if she is aiming to have a VBAC), but the danger of the oxygen deprivation that this is causing the fetus is quite alarming. And unfair. The term for this procedure is “Pit to Distress”. And yes, it is happening. Please be aware of this and educate yourself. I advise you to read this link below about the procedure from the Unnecesarean website.