Artificial rupture of membranes can be used for labor induction.

A sterile, plastic, thin hook is brushed against the membranes just inside the cervix, causing the fetal head to move down against the cervix, usually resulting in the contractions becoming stronger and eventually causing the membranes to rupture.

Advantages of artificial rupture of the membranes include:

• Labor may be shortened by an hour.
• It facilitates collection of the amniotic fluid, which can be examined, e.g. for the presence of meconium
  Meconium
  Meconium is the earliest stools of an infant. Unlike later feces, meconium is composed of materials ingested during the time the infant spends in the uterus: intestinal epithelial cells, lanugo, mucus, amniotic fluid, bile, and water. Meconium is almost sterile, unlike later feces, is viscous and...
  
  , indicating fetal distress
  Fetal distress
  In medicine , the term fetal distress refers to the presence of signs in a pregnant woman—before or during childbirth—that suggest that the fetus may not be well...
  
  .
• The fetal heart rate can be monitored with cardiotocography
  Cardiotocography
  In medicine , cardiotocography is a technical means of recording the fetal heartbeat and the uterine contractions during pregnancy, typically in the third trimester...
  
   directly on the baby's scalp.

Disadvantages of artificial rupture of the membranes include:

• The baby may turn to a breech position, making birth more difficult if the membranes are ruptured before head engagement.
• There is an increased risk of umbilical cord prolapse.
• There is an increased risk of infection if there is a prolonged time between rupture and birth.