You’ve finally hit the 40th week and your baby is due to burst into the world any time now! But of course, the whole process of birth isn’t as romantic as it sounds, what with birthing pains involved. But what if the due date has passed and still no sign of baby yet? Is there a way to induce labor on your own?
Luckily, there are safe ways you can try to jumpstart the magical experience of giving birth (with the go signal of your ob-gyne, of course!). Here are six ways you can try to induce labor naturally:
Yes, ladies and gents, getting in the sack for some romp action not only keeps the romance burning even with a bun in the oven, but has been said to induce labor. When a man ejaculates in a woman’s vagina, it releases hormones known as prostaglandin, which helps “ripen” the cervix, making it dilate and ready for the passage of the baby.
Unless your doctor has advised otherwise due to pregnancy complications, it’s never too late to get busy with your man.
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Walking
Walking is one of the most natural and inexpensive ways you can induce labor, as gravity works its wonders by pulling the baby downwards, making the cervix dilate. This also helps put the baby in the right position where the head is down the pelvis (also known as cephalic presentation).
Not only do you get some much-needed exercise, but also speeds up your baby’s birth. So get those steppers working, and head out for a walk, momma!
Spicy food
Eating spicy food may cause some disruption in the stomach, which is what could induce labor to some. But this should be preceded with caution, as spicy food may cause indigestion, or worse, LBM if your stomach can’t handle the heat.
Induction massage
Everyone wants a relaxing message to soothe the body, and even more so for heavily pregnant women who need all the soothing and relaxing they can get before giving birth.
A kind of massage that can help trigger birth is called an induction massage, where a therapist who specializes in this kind of technique targets special acupressure points that could induce labor.
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Acupuncture
If you are willing to spend, try acupuncture, an age-old Chinese medical procedure that also aids to induce labor. Afraid of needles and pricking? Not to worry! Acupuncture uses very fine needles that you won’t feel at all inserted in different parts of the body, prompting different sensations, depending on what the body needs. Acupuncture is also believed to help women conceive.
Oil remedies
Some women swear by orally taking oil remedies that helped them induce labor, such as evening primrose oil and castor oil. The body breaks down primrose oil into prostaglandin, softening the cervix, while castor oil, as much as it is a proven agent to induce labor, is also known as a strong laxative.
Women who opt to take castor oil are advised to proceed with caution and as prescribed by their doctor. While there are more ways that are believed to induce labor, it is always a priority to get medical clearance before proceeding with your own remedies.
Remember that even if you induce labor as naturally as possible, your baby won’t make its grand entrance to the world unless it’s ready to do so.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ANGELA VERA
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