NHS Suffolk and North East Essex - Labour and Birth Booklet

31 Assisted birth Interventions in labour Breaking your waters (amniotomy) Before, or during labour your waters will normally break at some point (although sometimes they don’t – and some babies are born in their amniotic sac). If your labour seems to have slowed down or there are concerns about your baby’s wellbeing, your midwife might recommend breaking your waters. This is done during a routine vaginal examination, it does not hurt your baby, and has been shown to sometimes reduce the length of labour. Oxytocin (known as synto or syntocinon) Oxytocin is the naturally occurring hormone that causes your womb to have contractions. If your contractions slow down, or aren’t effective in causing the cervix to dilate, it may be recommended that you have a synthetic oxytocin drip which is given in small amounts directly into a vein via a cannula. It makes contractions stronger and more regular. If you have an oxytocin drip, close monitoring of you and your baby (using continuous electronic fetal monitoring) is recommended. Episiotomy An episiotomy is a cut that is made (with your consent) to the perineum (the area between your vagina and your rectum) to assist in the birth of your baby. Your midwife or doctor may recommend this if your baby’s heartbeat suggests that he or she needs to be born as quickly as possible, if you are having an assisted birth, or if there is a high risk of a serious tear affecting your rectum. An episiotomy is repaired using dissolvable stitches and normally heals within a month of birth. For more information visit: • NHS Choices www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/episiotomy/