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| Procedure | Artificial rupture of the bag of waters |
| What Is It? | Breaking the amniotic sac surrounding the baby with an amniohook |
| Who Needs It? | Occasionally there is a need to see the color of the amniotic fluid |
| Who Doesn't Need It | Most pregnant women |
| Risks | 1. Sets "time clock" running for need to deliver infant 2. Infection 3. Prolapse of umbilical cord if done too early 4. Decrease in pH of newborns with early amniotomy 5. Umbilical cord compression |
| Benefit | Small decrease in labor time |

