How to Induce Labor

Wanting to know how to induce labor? After 39 or 40 weeks of pregnancy, lots of women are ready to induce labor and want to learn how to induce labor themselves.

Be aware that even if your doctor induces labor with drugs if the mother’s body is not ready, the labor induction might not work. This can occur as late as 40 weeks.

There are in essence two main schools of thought for how to induce labor – using drugs, or with only natural methods. Because there are only a handful of ways medical professionals learn about how to induce labor, we’ll focus on the natural methods of inducing labor.

Please be aware that, like with anything medical, stop if anything hurts  too much or you believe there’s an emergency. When in doubt, discuss things with your doctor, doula, or midwife if you have any unanswered questions. These methods might help induce labor but always verify with a doctor.

Eat Fruit- Some pregnant women swear that eating mango or pineapple induced labor for them. This is because these certain fruits are full of numerous enzymes, some of which can tone your cervix.

Physical Activity – Maybe your labor is late because your baby is needing to descend? If so, how about trying some basic physical movements.  Some good activities to try include swimming, doing simple lunges, or brisk walking. With luck, these activities can help rotate your baby into a more favorable position to get your labor going. And don’t forget – any physical activity at all is great for your body in general!

Relax! – The main ingredients to a successful labor is to star relaxed.  If you are upset or worrying a lot, your body is not going to begin true contractions. If you’ve been worried about learning how to induce labor, just take a deep breath and start to relax – it will be over soon. How about a talking a nice walk or watching a favorite movie? Otherwise how about doing some of you favorite activities.

Acupressure- Can you really induce labor just by pressing on some places on your body? Surprisingly, over 3/4 of expectant mothers who are ready to start labor can go ahead by using a technique called Acupressure to induce labor. This is something to try since it often works and can reduce pain during childbirth.

Nipple Massage – Many doctors start labor by using pitocin because it starts contractions.  Well, you don’t have to go to the doctor for it – pitocin is the synthetic form of a hormone called oxytocin, a chemical your body creates every day. To release it into your bloodstream, try massaging and stimulating your nipples. This will bring about elevated levels of oxytocin in your bloodstream and could kick-start your contractions.

What do all these methods have in common? For starters all these ways are trying to get your body to start having contractions and make your baby descend okay. When doctors learn how to induce labor it is often using drugs similar to the ones your body is already making. The other methods are meant to ensure your cervix is ripe enough, and to get your body going

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One Response to How to Induce Labor

  1. Simon Hardeman and Spike Breakwell says:

    Push!
    The female may get the urge to get out and do this when the car runs out of petrol halfway to the hospital.

    Gestation
    They’re all closed.

    Pain
    Apparently you are one.

    Maternity
    After one of these you reach the hospital.

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