Labor Inductions Tips

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What can help me to dilate my cervix?

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil either applied directly or taken orally will help to efface and dilate the cervix. This should be done under the supervision of your healthcare provider.

   
How is nipple stimulation done in augmenting labor?

Nipple Stimulation

Nipple stimulation can be used to induce labor. While the nipples are stimulated the body produces the hormone oxytocin which causes the uterus to contract. Place the nipple between your thumb and forefinger and "roll" it around for about 20 minutes several times a day. Or you can have someone to "suckle" the nipple much the way a baby would while nursing. Be advised not to try this without the advice and help of your midwife or physican.

   
Will having sex cause labor to start?

Sexual Intercourse

Semen contains prostagladins which help to efface and dilate the cervix. Please note that the cervix will not dilate unless labor is imminent, therefore having sex during pregnancy poses no danger of preterm labor unless your healthcare provider tells you to abstain.

   
What are labor inductions?

Labor Inductions

There are several methods of labor inductions both medically and naturally. Medically speaking there are the application of prostaglandin gel to the cervix, Pitocin IV drip, stripping of the membranes and breaking of the bag of waters. Naturally speaking there are herbs to help bring labor on, nipple stimulation, intercourse and exercise. If labor needs to be augmented (induced) find out all you can about the above mentioned methods.

   
What is a method of medical labor induction?

Stripping The Membranes

Stripping the membranes in a pregnant woman means that her doctor will strip away the membranes from the cervix just inside the uterus. This is done to help bring on labor. The doctor does this with her fingers. Usually after stripping the membranes, the cervix will dilate and efface and the uterus will start contracting. This may take a couple of days to work.

   
How can I induce labor naturally?

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Red raspberry leaf tea, drunk about 6 weeks before the due date to tone the uterus for the birth. Red raspberry leaf tea causes minor contractions in the uterus.

   
How can I induce labor naturally?

Consult With Your Healthcare Provider

ALWAYS consult with your healthcare provider before attempting any natural labor induction. Even though they are natural - some can be dangerous if you attempt them with the proper care.

   
How can I induce labor naturally?

Herbs That Induce Labor

There are a number of herbs that can be taken to help to naturally induce labor. Of these are black and blue cohosh, borage oil, castor oil, evening primrose oil, goldenseal, mugwort, and yarrow. All of these are uterine stimulates and help to bring on contractions. Evening primrose oil can also be applied directly to the cervix to help to dilate and efface (or thin out) it. Do not try any of these without the advise and help of your midwife or physican.

   
Will exercise bring on labor?

Exercise To Augment Labor

Exercise such as walking can help to bring labor on. Walking helps the uterus to contract. Swinging in a swing may induce labor too. The motion and gravity helps to move things along in getting labor started. Though for some women it may not work - usually if the woman's body is ready for labor anyway - exercise will help it along a little faster.

   
Can having intercourse induce labor?

Intercourse To Induce Labor

Having intercourse can be a method of natural labor induction. Semen contains prostaglandins which help to efface (thin out) and dilate the cervix. Orgasm causes the uterus to contract. It's not a given that intercourse will bring on labor - but for women who are ready anyway - it very well could do the trick.

   
Why is water so important?

Dehydration

Dehydration is the number one reason preterm labor starts. It is possible to naturally induce labor by withholding water - however it is strongly advisable not to do this without the care of your doctor.

   
How can I induce labor naturally?

Exercise and Labor

Exercise such as walking, sexual intercourse, swinging in swing can help to bring on labor.

   
How can I speed up labor?

Prostaglandin Gel

Prostaglandin gel is used when labor needs to be augmented or induced. The gel is applied by a doctor or a nurse directly onto the cervix. The hope is that the gel will help to efface (thin out) and dilate the cervix. The cervix must be 100% effaced and dilated to 10 cm in order for the birth to take place.

   
How can I speed up labor?

Pitocin Drip

Pitocin is a synthetic hormone just like the hormone oxytocin that a woman's body produces. The hormone helps the uterus to contract. Pitocin is given to women who need help with bringing on labor. Pitocin is given in an IV and the laboring mom is carefully monitored. Pitocin causes the uterus to have strong contractions in hopes of bringing on true labor and eventually birth.

   
How can I induce labor naturally?

Black and Blue Cohosh

These herbs are known as uterune toners. They cause the uterus to contract.

   
What is a method of medical labor induction?

Breaking The Bag Of Waters

A doctor will break the bag of waters if labor has begun and the cervix is at least 2 to 3 cm dilated. The doctor takes an amniotic hook and punctures the bag of waters. This will usually help to finish dilating and effacing the cervix as well as bring on the strong contractions needed to push the baby out.

   
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