Early Induction Info
Before I start, here's a little disclaimer... I am not a midwife or anything like that. I have no training, formal or otherwise. This is just stuff I found helpful for me. Not everything works for everyone. Not everyone's pregnancy is the same. Just because these things worked for me, it doesn't mean they will work for you. Please don't shout at me!
Since I Might Have No Choice...
For my second pregnancy my consultant wants me to have an early c-section, mainly because Jack was a big baby and I had a 3rd degree tear. I was never open to an elective section, but did agree that (if it was really nessesary) I would reluctantly concent to early induction. Later I was diagnosed with having borderline genstational diabetes which made an early induction more likely.
So I thought I would look into ways of helping my body along so that, if I do need to be induced, there is liess chance of that leading to a section!
This is what I found:
If your caregiver has recommended induction, you could consider asking whether it would be appropriate for you to try some natural methods of induction before moving on to medication. These include:
- Orgasm. If your water has not broken, you could try intercourse: semen contains a small amount of prostaglandin, and orgasm causes oxytocin to flow. If your water has broken, oral or manual stimulation of the clitoris also can lead to orgasm, and thus to contractions.
- Nipple stimulation releases oxytocin: stroking nipples, using a breast pump, or oral stimulation. Discontinue if contractions come more than every four minutes, or last longer than one minute.
- Acupressure on spleen 6 point: lower leg, 4 finger-breadths above inner ankle bone. Apply pressure in on-off cycles of 10-60 seconds each for up to 6 cycles.
- Enema or castor oil. Bowel contractions may stimulate uterine contractions. This isn't pleasant, so usually only used to avoid medical induction methods.
- Herbal preparations and homeopathic remedies. Contact a trained practitioner for information.
Clary sage and Jasmine essential oils
Both of these oils can act as a uterine stimulant, which is why they are usually listed as being contra-indicated during pregnancy. This is the reason why many women turn to essential oils for natural induction - you could try massaging them into your bump, putting them in a bath, or putting them on a hot towel on your bump. Be warned though, Clary Sage has a very distinctive smell.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a form of 'alternative' or 'complementary' medicine and involves a method of treatment using massage to reflex areas found in the feet and the hands. Most commonly the feet are massaged to treat other areas of the body - a reflexologist will massage specific areas which are believed to be linked to the uterus, in order to try and induce labour - most practitioners will not carry this out before 40 weeks as it can be highly effective. To find a qualified practitioner visit www.aor.org.uk
Homeopathy
Another form of complementary medicine that could help induce labour. It's best to consult a qualified homeopath, as homeopathic remedies are selected to suit the individual patient. You can find more information on homeopathy and how it works HERE and to find a homeopath near you, visit www.homeopathy-soh.org
Fresh pineapple
There is an enzyme in pineapple which is also reputed to be a natural inducer of labour - however the enzyme is only found in fresh pineapple (the process of juicing or tinning the pineapple destroys it) and is only present in small quantities. Allegedly you would have to eat as many as seven pineapples to consume enough to have an effect.
Hot curries
This method works along the same lines as the old castor oil trick - the spicy food stimulates the bowel, and it's thought that can have a similar effect on your uterus, kickstarting contractions. This method probably isn't the best to try if you're not a curry fan though! Please note that taking castor oil is now not generally recommended, as it can over-stimulate the bowel, bringing on diarrhoea and causing dehydration - labour is hard enough work, without making it even harder on yourself!
Long walks
The theory here is that by walking, your baby's head will press against your cervix, which will cause labour to start. Whether or not it's true is a matter for debate (I walked miles while waiting for labour to start with my first son!) but if you're feeling up to it, then at the very least it will pass some time in those last few weeks.http://www.treehuggermums.co.uk
Its commonly believed that drinking raspberry leaf tea or taking raspberry leaf tablets will help to induce labour and as such this supplement is taken by many a pregnant woman keen to speed up their baby's arrival into the world. Unfortunately this is a misconception; raspberry leaf tea doesn't actually help to bring on labour at all. Having said this it is thought to have many other benefits for the birthing process and has been used as a labour-aid for hundreds of years.
Visit YourHealthStore.co.uk to stock up on Raspberry Leaf Tea in an easy-to-take capsule form.
The benefits
Raspberry leaf tea is nutrient rich and contains many of the vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy pregnancy including vitamins A, C, E and B, magnesium, calcium and iron. Consuming raspberry leaf tea not only helps mother and baby to get all the nutrients they need but can also help to replenish a new mothers stores after the birth.
Raspberry leaf tea also contains the alkaloid 'fragine' which is said to strengthen and tone the muscles of the uterus, helping them to contract more efficiently during labour. Research has found that taking raspberry leaf during the weeks prior to delivery helps to shorten the second stage of labour by making contractions more effective. Some studies have also found that it reduces the need for an assisted delivery (i.e. an emergency cesarean or use of forceps or ventouse).
Sipping raspberry leaf tea during and after the birth is also said to help the uterus contract back down to size, reduce after birth bleeding and help initiate the let down of breastmilk.
While there hasn't been a huge amount of research into this area, the general consensus does seem to be that drinking raspberry leaf tea during the latter stages of pregnancy can help to make for a 'better' labour with few side effects.
How to take raspberry leaf tea
Raspberry leaf tea can be taken in tea bag, loose leaf, tablet or tincture form and is available from most herbalists and health food stores .
It is advisable to wait until the 32nd week of pregnancy before trying raspberry leaf tea as there is a concern that consumption before this time in the more fragile, earlier stages of pregnancy could lead to problems. Once you have reached the 32nd week of your pregnancy you could begin with one cup of raspberry leaf tea a day and gradually increase up to 4 cups or tables a day (although this may vary in accordance with the strength of the blend and the manufacturers instructions).
While there is no guarantee that raspberry leaf tea will help speed up the labour process, if you like the taste it might just be worth a try.