📖 Definition
The use of interventions (most commonly Pitocin/oxytocin) to strengthen or accelerate labor that has begun spontaneously but is progressing too slowly. Distinct from induction (which starts labor). Augmentation is offered when contractions are too mild, too infrequent, or cervical progress has stalled (labor dystocia). Amniotomy (artificial rupture of membranes) is another method used to augment labor.