Natural
labour induction
For 40 weeks you've been waiting for this day. Your birth plan
is ready, your bag is packed and surely any minute now you will have your first
contraction! But... nothing… not even a twinge!!!!
Patience is a virtue ~ baby will come when he or she is
ready! But if an induction date is
looming, you might feel like you want to give him or her a gentle nudge. So
here are some alternative methods to bring on labour:
Before you do anything: get the “all clear”!
It’s
important to have the all clear from your midwife or consultant, especially if
you have a pre-existing medical condition. This usually means you will be 40
weeks+.
Acupuncture
Studies have found the benefits of
acupuncture for labour induction are:
o time from due date to delivery is reduced
o faster cervical ripening and dilation
o stronger and more frequent contractions
o lower likelihood of medical interventions such as
caesarean section or oxytocin
o relaxation.
Please check the website of the
British Acupuncture Council for details of these studies (www.acupuncture.org.uk, Acupuncture in
pregnancy and labour: the evidence for effectiveness).
Sometimes only 1 treatment will
suffice, but often a second or third treatment within a few days is required.
Natural tips
In addition to having acupuncture
(usually 2-3 sessions closely together), also try the following:
o walk – climb stairs – sit on an exercise ball -
basically keep your pelvis moving as much as possible!
o drink raspberry leaf tea
o it might not be your top priority, but sex is also
beneficial (on the condition that your waters haven’t broken, though, due to
risk of infection) – prostaglandins in semen and uterine contractions with
orgasm might just help to set things off– trying to find a comfortable position
could also be fun!
o take 1000mg of evening primrose oil per day orally
– also at night before bed, poke a small hole in a capsule and insert vaginally
(again, waters have to be intact – wear a sanitary towel) – the EPO suppository
helps soften the cervix
o try nipple stimulation – this releases natural
oxytocin, you need a lot of stimulation to release noticeable amounts, but in
addition to the other measures, it might just help – also watch videos of
breastfeeding mums on Youtube as this might also help you release oxytocin
o visualisation/relaxation – tension is
counterproductive in labour, so find a way to relax and visualise your baby
moving through the birth canal and being born
o Debra Betts has a lot of information on her website
– use the acupressure points clearly marked on her website several times per
day http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupressure-intro.aspx
No comments:
Post a Comment