Midwife Nikki replies:There are several possible reasons why the cervix is slow to dilate or stops dilating. It's often due to weak contractions. If that's the case, a hormone drip can sometimes strengthen their intensity. It can also be due to a

Midwife Katie replies: This is an internal examination, where the midwife or the doctor slides an index finger through the opening of the cervix, the neck of the womb, and around its inner surface. This effectively ‘sweeps' the cervix away from

criteria that need to be met, the main one being that you have to be in established labour. This means that it can't be given unless you're having regular contractions that are causing the cervix, the entrance to the womb, to dilate. Many obstetric units

Midwife Katie says:There's a whole host of reasons why this might have happened. A retained placenta occurs in about 2% of all births and statistics show that if it has happened to you before, there's a higher risk it could occur again. It's a good

Midwife Nikki replies: This is only the case if your waters have been ruptured for more than four hours and there are active lesions on the labia, vagina or cervix. In that case, a Caesarean is recommended, but discuss it with your obstetrician. Don