Possible reactions for mother and baby:
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The woman's cervix softens, thins and begins to open, and labour starts. |
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A shorter labour once it starts. The contractions can come on strong from the very beginning, with little to no build up time. |
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The woman has relatively strong contractions that do not dilate her cervix. |
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Endorphins - your own natural pain relief hormones - take longer to flood in, as your body's chemical balance has been interfered with. |
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Possible nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. |
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Possible allergic irritation from the gel. |
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Possible overstimulation of the uterus, which can lead to the baby and / or woman becoming distressed. |
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Increased risk of fetal distress and uterine rupture. |
Information sources
Hofmeyr GJ, Alfirevic Z, Kelly T, Kavanagh J, Thomas J, Brocklehurst P, Neilson JP. Methods for cervical ripening and labour induction in late pregnancy: generic protocol (Protocol for a Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2001. Oxford: Update Software.
Luckas M, Bricker L. Intravenous prostaglandin for induction of labour (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2001. Oxford: Update Software.
Lumbiganon P, Laopaiboon M, Kuchaisit C, Chinsuwan A. Oral prostaglandins (excluding misoprostol) for cervical ripening and labour induction when the baby is alive (Protocol for a Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2001. Oxford: Update Software.
Tan BP, Hannah ME. Prostaglandins for prelabour rupture of membranes at or near term (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2001. Oxford: Update Software.