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Massage of the cervix is to induce labor. This method is effective, but has many disadvantages - first of all, it is painful, which is why it is rarely used nowadays. What is cervical massage and how does it work? Pros and cons of cervical massage.
Cervical massage , which is one of theinduction methods,involves gently opening the cervical canal and detaching the lower pole of the fetal bladder from the walls uterus. This is to provoke the body in labor to more intensively produce hormones responsible for the initiation of labor. The fact is that cervical massage stimulates uterine contractions, which can significantly shorten the time of delivery or avoid cesarean section, but it is also extremely painful. Therefore, it is assumed that the consent of the mother is required to massage the cervix.
Cervical massage: indications
Performing a cervical massage is considered in a situation where labor is no longer progressing and the dilation of the cervix does not increase. The task of the cervical massage is to soften and relax the cervix and make the muscles of the uterus more flexible and stretched.
How does cervical massage work?
Before starting the massage, the doctor must know the position of the placenta and the cervical opening must not be less than a centimeter. Cervical massage can be performed by a doctor or midwife. Even when the procedures are very gentle, obstetricians must take into account the pain that accompanies this procedure. The cervix is massaged by hand to open the canal and then separate the lower part of the fetal bladder from the uterine wall.
Cervical massage: benefits
- speeds up obtaining the full and necessary dilation of the cervix
- by stimulating contractions of the uterus, it significantly shortens the time of childbirth, and thus - reduces the stress and suffering of the birthing woman
- avoids the need for a caesarean section
Cervical massage: disadvantages
- pain during its performance, because the cervix is strongly innervated
- possible microtrauma on the neck,
- more profuse cervical bleeding,
- higher risk of cervical rupture
- possible disturbance of the physiological processtransformation of uterine muscle fibers