Final answer:
The most common method to promote cervical ripening is oxytocin infusion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Oxytocin
When fetal development is complete, the peptide-derived hormone oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions and dilation of the cervix. Throughout most of pregnancy, oxytocin hormone receptors are not expressed at high levels in the uterus. Toward the end of pregnancy, the synthesis of oxytocin receptors in the uterus increases, and the smooth muscle cells of the uterus become more sensitive to its effects. Synthetic oxytocin, known as Pitocin, can be administered if labor stops before stage two is reached, in order to restart and maintain labor.
Therefore, the most common method to promote cervical ripening is oxytocin infusion.