how to induce labor naturally February 18, 2010
Posted by guinever in : doula, labor, pregnancy , add a comment
photo by emifaulk
The information I offer here is for informational purposes only and should not take the place of medical advice from your doctor or midwife. These are all well-known ways to encourage contractions to start.
eat spicy food to get those contractions started
Why it works: anything that gets your digestive system humming can also stimulate the uterus since they’re right next to each other. The spicier the better–mexican, thai, chinese. There’s even a famous Eggplant Parmigiana available at Scalini’s Italian Restaurant in Georgia that is “guaranteed” to bring forth a baby within 48 hours or mom-to-be will get a gift certificate for another meal. Over 300 moms have had babies after eating the parmigiana. You can make it at home following the recipe posted at their website. I’ve made it a couple times and it is super yummy, yet quite time consuming to make.
walk to encourage labor contractions to start
Why walking works: Braxton hicks contractions usually start when you’re walking. The more you have, the more prepared your cervix will be when labor starts. Walk often. Walk fast. If it’s too hot or cold to walk outside, and you don’t have a gym membership, go to the mall or other indoor building where you can walk safely and comfortably.
make love to help labor start
Why sex works: The prostaglandins in semen help to soften the cervix, the vital first step in the cervix getting ready for labor, before the cervix even starts dilating. Oxytocin, one of the hormones that is involved in labor, is released during a woman’s orgasm.
nipple stimulation to start contractions
Why it works: the same reason as above; oxytocin is released. You can either use a breastpump or have your partner do it. This can be tedious; it must be done for hours to induce labor. However, doing it for just a few minutes can be beneficial if combined with other techniques. Alternately, you can get in a deep tub of water and let the water stimulate your nipples.
acupressure points
If you can’t get to a professional massage therapist, you can find the points at home. . You’ll know you have the point right when you find a tender spot that hurts. Apply pressure for about a minute at a time. Apply as much pressure as is comfortable. It might sting a little.
- The first one is about 3-4 fingers above the inside of your ankle bone.
- The next point is on the webbing of your hand in between your thumb and index finger.
- Another accupressure point is on the roof of your mouth. You can either suck on your thumb or a lollipop.
induction massage
Go to your favorite massage therapist or find one who specializes in pregnancy and induction massage. It will feel good. Your therapist will help you to relax as well as stimulate the uterine points. It’s best to think about going into labor during the massage. If your body is ready for labor, an induction massage might just work for you.
Read things to consider before doing a labor induction at the hospital.
coming soon: inducing labor with herbs, homeopathics, castor oil, and primrose
what do contractions feel like? December 6, 2009
Posted by guinever in : birth, labor, pregnancy , 3comments
First time moms all wonder what labor will feel like and ask their friends what does a contraction feel like? How will I know when I’m in labor? Will it hurt? When do I know when to call my midwife or when to go to the hospital?
Some pregnant women are afraid of the potential pain of labor, afraid of the unknown. An important thing to remember about these sensations is that labor is a normal, natural process. This makes it different from any other pain you may experience. Remember that contractions last anywhere from 15-90 seconds depending on how far along your labor has progressed. Then you have several minutes in between each of your contractions so it’s not like you’re in constant pain for the duration of your labor and birth.
The best thing to do is just to take one contraction at a time.
what do braxton hicks contractions feel like?
- just a little downward pressure
- a little twinge near my belly button
- menstrual cramps
- indigestion
- don’t really feel them at all
- don’t hurt, just a little tightening
what do early labor contractions feel like?
- all of the above for braxton hicks
- a little pain that starts at my belly button then wraps around my hips
- all I feel it is in my back, an annoying back ache that comes and goes
- it hurts, but not too bad
- sometimes takes my breath away
what do active labor contractions feel like?
- pretty intense
- a pulling at my cervix
- intense inward pressure
- can feel it all up front
- radiates down my hips
- my back just kills
- a pressure wave and I’m just letting my body open up
- like I’m working really hard
- my breathing gets really fast and I have to concentrate to keep it under control
what do transition contractions feel like?
- overwhelming
- very intense
- hurts a lot
- can feel the contractions in my legs and I start shaking
- like someone is twisting my cervix
- the contraction starts in my front then gets stronger and more intense and stays like that for a long time before fading away
what do pushing or 2nd stage contractions feel like?
- the same as before but now I have to bear down
- like I need to poop
- can’t stop pushing
- burning right before the baby is born
what do 3rd and 4th stage contractions feel like?
- really bad menstrual cramps
- same as active labor contractions
- wait a minute, didn’t I just have the baby? why am I still contracting like this?
what did your contractions feel like?
