In this blog, we are going to talk about cervical ripening, which is one of the most common procedures that are carried out by doctors before labor starts.
What Is Cervical Ripening?
Cervical ripening is a medical procedure of opening the cervix before the labor starts. This allows the baby to pass through your birth canal softly. Most of the time, cervical ripening happens naturally, however, some women have to get it via a procedure. Sometimes, the procedure comes in the form of medicines, procedures, or devices that would allow the body to ripen the cervix before the labor starts.
Who Needs This Procedure?
Most of the time, cervical ripening happens on its own, however, some women need help. The help that we are talking about comes in the form of medicines, procedures and devices that allows the body to ripen the cervix before the labor starts.
Doctors might tell you to go through this procedure if you are:
- Overdue pregnancy
- Have health risks
- Have preeclampsia
- Have gestational diabetes
- Have growth restriction
- Live far from a hospital
Risks Of Cervical Ripening
There are a lot of risks that are involved in this type of procedure, which is why it is important that you think about it before saying yes and you are ready to face the side effects. Please do keep in mind that the risks of the procedure and the medication are mild, however, they can vary from person to person.
Here are some of the most common risks of cervical ripening:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Contractions
- Hyperstimulation
Please do keep in mind that hyperstimulation is extremely rare, however, it is one of the most serious side effects of some labor-inducing medications that are prescribed by the doctor of natural labor does not start.
Please do keep in mind that hyperstimulation can cause too frequent contractions and also pose a health risk to the fetu/baby that you are carrying.
Here are some of the most common risks of procedures for cervical ripening:
- Bleeding
- Drops in fetal heart rate
- Fetal injury
- Fetal death
- Infections in the mother or the fetus
- Umbilical cord prolapse
When To See A Doctor
In case you got this procedure without consulting your doctor and are facing any of the risks that we listed above, please do make sure that you are booking an appointment right now or go to the emergency of the hospital that is near you. It is important that you make sure that you are getting proper medical diagnosis because you might have caused something serious in your body.,
Do you think we missed out anything important in the things that you need to know about cervical ripening? Let us know what we missed out by leaving a comment in the comments section below!
