Updated December 01, 2014.

Question: What is augmentation of labor?

Once your labor and birth starts, you will most likely continue on the course of your labor. Though every now and then a labor will slow or stop. If your labor is stalled, you may require what is known as an augmentation of labor.

Answer: Speeding labor up, or an augmentation of labor, means that medical or natural techniques are used to help labor back on its path.

This may restart or speed your labor up. It can be done in multiple ways including:

• Walking
• Pitocin
• Breaking your water
• Other natural techniques

Some labors are simply naturally slow and will not need augmentation. Sometimes augmentation is done for the health of mother or baby. It can also be done for non-medical reasons.