If you’re two weeks past your due date with no signs of early labor. If your water has broken, but no contractions have occurred. If you have an infection in the later stages of pregnancy. If there’s a problem with your placenta. If you have a medical condition that might pose a risk if you wait too long to have the baby. If you’re undergoing a dilation and curettage procedure.
Having a C-section. Premature birth. Lowering the baby’s heart rate and oxygen intake. Contracting infection. Uterine rupture.
These medications have side effects that may impact the health of the baby. Be sure to talk with your doctor about the risks involved before taking medication.
Once the balloon-tipped catheter is inserted, saline is injected into the balloon, causing it to expand and dilate the cervix. Laminaria is a type of seaweed native to Japan that forms a thick, sticky gel when wet. The dried stems of the seaweed are formed into “tents” that will swell up gradually. A layer of this substance is placed just inside the cervix, around the neck of the uterus to promote cervical dilation. Although laminaria has been used both before dilation and curettage and to stimulate labor, the safety of its use during pregnancy has not been proven at this time.
