The article “An overview of the past, current and future trends for cervical ripening in induction of labour” by Chodankar, Sood, and Gupta sought to discuss the benefits and risks of pharmacological and mechanical methods of labor induction (Chodankar, Sood & Gupta, 2017). The authors used a methodology almost similar to that of a systematic review. It comprised analysis of empirical research that evaluated distinct pharmacological and mechanical methods. This enabled the authors to examine the past and current labor induction techniques comprehensively, providing a detailed insight into their risk-to-benefit ratio.
Chodankar, Sood, and Gupta had a good concept, and all this information was presented procedurally, which made it easier to understand their logic and the communicated information. The article started with a historical background of the induction of labor, followed by a comprehensive presentation of the most common methods of labor induction, which comprise pharmacological (amniotomy, membrane sweeping, prostaglandins, and oxytocin infusion) and mechanical techniques (osmotic dilators and balloon catheters). The article was finalized by reviewing the current guidelines on methods for labor induction. This methodology offered credibility to their conclusion that was, currently, no technique is optimum. This article was chosen as it provided a detailed and understandable overview of the use of pharmacological and mechanical methods to induce labor.
The information presented in Chodankar, Sood, and Gupta (2017) is of great benefit to nurses, especially those working in obstetric settings. Such nurses are required to be conversant with evidence-based literature regarding labor induction and augmentation, maternal and newborn risks associated with such processes, and the advantages associated with spontaneous labor. Therefore, by inculcating the knowledge regarding the utilization of pharmacological and mechanical methods of labor induction, nurses can advise expectant women considering medically and non-medically indicated induction of labor. Since all the methods are optimum, the technique selected should be dependent on the physiological condition of the mother.
Reference
Chodankar, R., Sood, A., & Gupta, J. (2017). An overview of the past, current and future trends for cervical ripening in induction of labour. The Obstetrician and Gynecologist, 19(3), 219-226. Web.