Obstetricians recommend inducing labor if a pregnancy extends past the due date, as delayed deliveries can pose risks to both mother and baby. This article outlines several natural and medical methods to induce labor, while warning that these should only be attempted at full term and with doctor approval.
There are cases where a baby is not born on the expected due date. This is very common during a first pregnancy. Obstetricians say it is much better for a child to be born up to two weeks early than two weeks late. Delayed deliveries can pose dangers to both the mother and the baby because complications may arise. In such situations, the best remedy is to induce labor if a C-section is to be the last option. To do this, here are suggested ways:
- Engage in limb exercises. Walk as often as you can and try to cover long distances. Widen your steps while walking so your legs feel the pressure and the pelvis begins to open up. Stair climbing is also a good way to stretch the pelvis and induce birth. Go up and down the stairs several times a day.
- Do some Pilates or yoga stretches. Sit on a mat and cross your legs lotus style. With your palms pressing on your sides, raise your buttocks. Another labor-inducing exercise is bouncing on a Pilates ball. Place the ball against a wall and sit on it with your legs apart (lotus style) to loosen your pelvis. Lightly bounce on the ball. You may need hand support for this exercise, so make sure there are handles or furniture nearby to hold onto.
- Engage in games or sports activities that are safe for your condition. Swimming is recommended because it allows you to move every part of your body. Playing hopscotch actually works because of the bouncing movements and legwork involved.
- Have sex with your partner. Some studies claim that sex can induce birth because sperm acts as a kind of lubricant to the birth canal, resulting in quicker birth. Also, reaching orgasm causes your womb to contract. Contractions are actually a prelude to childbirth. Sexual stimulation, like caressing the nipples, is also one way of inducing labor. All in all, the whole sex act, starting from foreplay to actual penetration, entails intense physical exertion that can prompt labor.
- Stimulate contractions. Have someone (a licensed midwife or your obstetrician) manually bring on contractions by inserting their fingers inside your opening. This method can cause pain, but you can bear it by taking deep breaths between periods of contractions.
- Take herbal laxatives. Be warned, however, that this should not be done without prior permission from your doctor. The herbal drinks should be safe for both you and your baby. By taking laxatives, you will be induced to move your bowels, and because bowel movement is akin to giving birth, in which you need to push internally, labor will then follow.
- Talk to your doctor and ask her to give you labor-inducing injections. Injections are usually done in hospitals, and when you are administered this procedure, you will be asked to stay because chances are you will be delivering the baby soon after you are given the needle.
The above-mentioned suggestions on inducing labor must be carried out only when you are already at full term. Never attempt to use these steps when you are not yet due to deliver. Moreover, if you have problems with your prenatal condition, consult your doctor before doing any of these methods.
Induce Labor: Methods and Precautions
Obstetricians recommend inducing labor if a pregnancy extends past the due date, as delayed deliveries can pose risks to both mother and baby. This article outlines several natural and medical methods to induce labor, while warning that these should only be attempted at full term and with doctor approval.
There are cases where a baby is not born on the expected due date. This is very common during a first pregnancy. Obstetricians say it is much better for a child to be born up to two weeks early than two weeks late. Delayed deliveries can pose dangers to both the mother and the baby because complications may arise. In such situations, the best remedy is to induce labor if a C-section is to be the last option. To do this, here are suggested ways:
- Engage in limb exercises. Walk as often as you can and try to cover long distances. Widen your steps while walking so your legs feel the pressure and the pelvis begins to open up. Stair climbing is also a good way to stretch the pelvis and induce birth. Go up and down the stairs several times a day.
- Do some Pilates or yoga stretches. Sit on a mat and cross your legs lotus style. With your palms pressing on your sides, raise your buttocks. Another labor-inducing exercise is bouncing on a Pilates ball. Place the ball against a wall and sit on it with your legs apart (lotus style) to loosen your pelvis. Lightly bounce on the ball. You may need hand support for this exercise, so make sure there are handles or furniture nearby to hold onto.
- Engage in games or sports activities that are safe for your condition. Swimming is recommended because it allows you to move every part of your body. Playing hopscotch actually works because of the bouncing movements and legwork involved.
- Have sex with your partner. Some studies claim that sex can induce birth because sperm acts as a kind of lubricant to the birth canal, resulting in quicker birth. Also, reaching orgasm causes your womb to contract. Contractions are actually a prelude to childbirth. Sexual stimulation, like caressing the nipples, is also one way of inducing labor. All in all, the whole sex act, starting from foreplay to actual penetration, entails intense physical exertion that can prompt labor.
- Stimulate contractions. Have someone (a licensed midwife or your obstetrician) manually bring on contractions by inserting their fingers inside your opening. This method can cause pain, but you can bear it by taking deep breaths between periods of contractions.
- Take herbal laxatives. Be warned, however, that this should not be done without prior permission from your doctor. The herbal drinks should be safe for both you and your baby. By taking laxatives, you will be induced to move your bowels, and because bowel movement is akin to giving birth, in which you need to push internally, labor will then follow.
- Talk to your doctor and ask her to give you labor-inducing injections. Injections are usually done in hospitals, and when you are administered this procedure, you will be asked to stay because chances are you will be delivering the baby soon after you are given the needle.
The above-mentioned suggestions on inducing labor must be carried out only when you are already at full term. Never attempt to use these steps when you are not yet due to deliver. Moreover, if you have problems with your prenatal condition, consult your doctor before doing any of these methods.
Induce Labor: Methods and Precautions
By Howtodotips
Obstetricians recommend inducing labor if a pregnancy extends past the due date, as delayed deliveries can pose risks to both mother and baby. This article outlines several natural and medical methods to induce labor, while warning that these should only be attempted at full term and with doctor approval.