Recommendations for Augmentation of Labour

Key Messages of WHO’s Augmentation of Labour Guidelines

• Augmentation of labour is a useful and important intervention when appropriate treatment, based on evidence-informed
  guidelines, is provided for delay in labour.
• This intervention aims to prevent prolonged labour while tackling the problem of high caesarean section rates, a growing global
  problem.
• The inappropriate use of this intervention may cause harm, resulting in uterine hyperstimulation with adverse effects, such as
  fetal asphyxia and uterine rupture.