Ways to Induce Labor: Natural Approaches to Initiate Childbirth

While plenty of individuals give birth to entirely healthy babies around two weeks before or after the predicted due date, it is suggested to wait until at least 39 weeks for labor.

Allowing nature to complete the timing of your baby's arrival expresses an excellent approach. It's essential to acknowledge that most of these techniques are based on personal encounters and lack considerable data of validity.

Therefore, it is advisable to discuss with your healthcare professional before pursuing any of these manners.

Although your midwife or doctor may not be able to certify their adequacy, they can provide supervision on whether it is secure to venture them during your pregnancy.

What Does Inducing Labor Mean

Inducing labor, also known as labor induction, involves the use of assistance or medical methods to begin labor before it naturally starts in a female.

This mediation is typically engaged when the health of the mother or baby is in danger, and in some cases, it may be done before full-term if the danger of continuing the pregnancy outweighs those associated with early birth.

Reasons for labor induction include situations where the woman's water has broken without contractions, the baby is overdue, there is a uterine infection, the woman has a medical condition, there is insufficient amniotic fluid, issues with the placenta, or the baby is not growing as expected.

Elective inductions may also be chosen for non-medical reasons, such as a history of rapid deliveries or living far from a hospital.

Recent studies suggest that elective induction at 39 weeks can be a safe option for healthy women expecting their first child, reducing the likelihood of a C-section or certain complications.

Methods for induction include cervix "ripening" with prostaglandin, membrane stripping to release prostaglandin, amniotomy (breaking the water), and uterine contraction stimulation with Pitocin, chosen based on individual circumstances.

While generally safe, induction carries risks such as ineffectiveness, potential impact on blood flow or uterine tearing due to strong contractions, infections from prolonged membrane rupture, and uterine atony leading to excessive bleeding.

Induction is not suitable for every pregnancy, especially with specific medical histories or fetal positions.

Home induction methods like castor oil or herbal supplements are discouraged due to potential harm, emphasizing the importance of consulting with a doctor for safe and effective induction.

Read Also: What Your Water Breaking Means, How To Respond

How to Initiate Labor

Engage in physical activity

Exercise, such as taking a prolonged walk, can heighten your heart rate. While not assured to induce labor, it serves as a stress-relief method and helps control your body's strength for the approaching delivery.

A 2022 study advised that roaming for 30 minutes, three times a week at a pace of 4 kilometers (km) or 2.5 miles (m) per hour from week 38 of pregnancy may help in labor induction and lessen the need for interventions during vaginal delivery.

Consider sexual activity

Though research has not definitively linked sex to the onset of labor, there are theoretical reasons why it might be effective.

Sexual activity, especially achieving orgasm, releases oxytocin, potentially jumpstarting uterine contractions. Additionally, for individuals engaging in sexual activity with men, semen contains prostaglandin hormones that could aid cervical ripening.

Safe during the final weeks of pregnancy, abstain from sex if your water has broken to avoid infection.

Nipple stimulation

Arousing your nipples can prompt uterine contractions and possibly induce labor. Nipple stimulation quicks the production of oxytocin, a hormone essential for uterine contractions and breastfeeding.

Research advised that breast stimulation may efficiently induce and augment labor, lessen the need for medical induction, and lower the danger of postpartum hemorrhage, with optimal results noticed after at least three days of arousing.

Explore acupuncture

Acupuncture, a method with a long history, is described to balance vital energy within the body. While the accurate mechanism is uncertain, study shows that acupuncture administered by a licensed acupuncturist can enhance cervical ripening.

Consider acupressure

Some practitioners advised that acupressure may begin labor, but proper instruction from a trained professional is crucial. Although there is narrow evidence supporting its efficiency in labor induction, acupressure can provide pain aid during labor.

Consume dates

Studies imply that consuming dates in the final weeks of pregnancy can heighten cervical ripening and dilation at the beginning of labor. It may also lessen the need for Pitocin during labor.

Waiting for labor to commence naturally offers various benefits, including a quicker recovery for pregnant individuals and improved outcomes for infants born after a full-term pregnancy.

Infants born after the full term typically experience enhanced muscle development, reduced risks of low blood sugar, infection, and jaundice, improved breathing, better feeding, and increased brain development.

Allow your body a few more days to naturally initiate labor, and use the time to rest as much as possible for the impending energy demands.

Related Article: Early Labor Signs: Indications and Manifestations as Labor Approaches