OK so it's 40 weeks of pregnancy.Bags are packed, your birth plan is written, you feel like any minute now labor will start then NOTHING!!!
Are there ways to induce labor without medical intervention?
The answer is yes. Not everything will work for averybody but here are some ideas you would like to consider.
HOT CURRY-Anything that will stimulate your bowels will increase chance of labor.Emptying bowels may start labor if the uterus is ready.Problem: it may cause you heartburn.
Note-never take castor oil or other laxatives as this can cause baby to become distressed.
NIPPLE STIMULATION-
Nipple stimulation is the gentle rubbing or rolling of the nipple to encourage the start of contractions. The theory is that oxytocin, a hormone that causes contractions, is released in the body when the breasts are stimulated.
SEX-This can help as sperm contains prostaglandins naturally. This is the the hormone that softens the cervix.Dr's use an artificial version to induce labor. Problem is you probably need to have intercourse regularly which for some women is difficult at this stage of pregnancy.
PINEAPPLE- Eating pineapple.Fresh not canned
Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which is thought to help to soften the cervix and so bring on labour.
You may need to eat a large amount for it to work!
HOMEOPATHY- Homoeopathic remedies use highly diluted versions of more potent substances to treat the body. Pulsatilla and Caulophyllum are two commonly used homeopathic remedies used to stimulate labour.
RASPBERRY LEAF-This can be taken in the form of tea or tablets.If you want to help to prepare the uterine muscles for labour start with one cup of tea a day or one tablet and build up gradually to a maximum of four cups of tea or tablets daily. The tea can be sipped freely during labour, too.It is very important that it is not taken ubtil last 2 mnths of pregnancy.
WIERD OPTIONS TO TRY-
Here is a selection of other methods (some of them a little bizarre) that other mums are said to have found helpful. There is no evidence for any of these .
• Blowing up balloons: the theory is that the build up of abdominal pressure encourages labour to start.
• Bouncing on your birth ball or driving your car down a bumpy road would seem to put the same faith in shaking things up a little
• Get a weepy video and have a good cry
• Wear your best knickers (Murphy's law will ensure that your waters break in them).
Maternity Acupressure Guide
Monday, January 17, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Why have a water birth?
Why Have a Water Birth? Maybe the right question should be why not have a water birth?
This method is safe and provides many benefits for both mother and baby including relief and a less traumatic birth experience for the baby.
Child birth can be a stressful experience for the baby. Properly heated water is claimed to help ease the transition from the uterus to the outside world because the warm liquid is thought to resemble the intrauterine environment.
Water birth is a form of hydrotherapy which, in studies, has been shown to be an effective form of pain management for a variety of conditions especially back pain which a number of woman have during labour. Water allows you to move easily and change positions frequently.The water bouys you up and makes you feel lighter.
Once you're immersed in the warm water of the pool, you're in your own world and can labour undisturbed. If the lights are dimmed and the room is quiet the effect will be heightened. It may help you to feel more in control of your body.
Water birth is believed to aid stretching of the perineum and therefore decrease the risk of s tears. Support from the water slows down the crowning of the babies head and offers perineal support, which decreases the risk of tearing and reduces the use of a surgical procedure called an episiotomy which can cause a number of complications.
Water birth is accepted and practiced in many parts of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as many European countries, including the United Kingdom;Germany many maternity clinics and hospitals have birthing tubs/pools.
Monitoring and emergencies
You may have to stay out of the pool if you develop complications.This could be upsetting but ultimately the health of baby is the most important.
Staff may need to monitor the heart rate if their is a problem like
This method is safe and provides many benefits for both mother and baby including relief and a less traumatic birth experience for the baby.
Child birth can be a stressful experience for the baby. Properly heated water is claimed to help ease the transition from the uterus to the outside world because the warm liquid is thought to resemble the intrauterine environment.
Water birth is a form of hydrotherapy which, in studies, has been shown to be an effective form of pain management for a variety of conditions especially back pain which a number of woman have during labour. Water allows you to move easily and change positions frequently.The water bouys you up and makes you feel lighter.
Once you're immersed in the warm water of the pool, you're in your own world and can labour undisturbed. If the lights are dimmed and the room is quiet the effect will be heightened. It may help you to feel more in control of your body.
Water birth is believed to aid stretching of the perineum and therefore decrease the risk of s tears. Support from the water slows down the crowning of the babies head and offers perineal support, which decreases the risk of tearing and reduces the use of a surgical procedure called an episiotomy which can cause a number of complications.
Water birth is accepted and practiced in many parts of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as many European countries, including the United Kingdom;Germany many maternity clinics and hospitals have birthing tubs/pools.
Monitoring and emergencies
You may have to stay out of the pool if you develop complications.This could be upsetting but ultimately the health of baby is the most important.
Staff may need to monitor the heart rate if their is a problem like
- your labour is progressing very slowly
- you start bleeding during labour
- your blood pressure goes up
- your baby's first poo (meconium) is detected in your waters
- the pool water gets very dirty
- you feel faint or drowsy
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