Augmentation may be suggested by your caregiver if:
The labour has started, then stopped or slowed
The waters have broken, but labour will not establish
The cervix is not opening, even with strong contractions
The labour is slow because the baby is in an awkward position
The caregiver feels the labour should be progressing more quickly
The labour has started then stopped or slowed
Sometimes the contractions are strong and regular, but then weaken (or become short and infrequent). In this case the cervix may be opening slowly, or perhaps not at all. The medical term for this is 'hypotonic' (or low tone) contractions, or inefficient uterine action. This means the contractions are happening, but are not strong enough to dilate the cervix.
This can occur for a number of reasons including:
The woman is not in established labour yet. Prelabour can be frustrating and prolonged for some women. It can also be quite painful (and if you have never had a baby before, it can be hard to know if it is the 'real thing'). Sometimes the only way to find out if the contractions are 'labour' or 'prelabour' is for the woman to have a vaginal examination (to see if the cervix is dilating).
You may be able to go into the hospital (or see your caregiver for a visit) to check the dilation, and then go back home again if the cervix is less then 3 cms dilated. Being checked should not, in itself, be a reason for augmentation. (The reasoning being "You are here now, let's get things going.") However, after discussions with your caregiver, you may both agree that augmentation is the most appropriate option.
Being exhausted and / or dehydrated. The contractions can slow (or stop) if the woman becomes dehydrated. This can be experienced if the prelabour has been prolonged, prior to the established labour starting, or the labour itself has been prolonged.