Megadodo
10-19-2007, 07:29 PM
This thread is for tips on Avoiding Induction / Starting Natural Labor. It is not a discussion thread.
Unless there is a medical reason, there's usually no reason to induce before you are well into your 42nd week of gestation. Medical reasons might include blood pressure, fetal heart rate (signal of distress), low amniotic fluid, high shoulder to pelvic ration (increases risk of shoulder dislocation).
In my opinion (I'm not a medical professional, but I have had four bigger babies vaginally) a "big" baby is not reason to induce. For one thing, what medical professionals will tell you is big isn't really all that big. I don't even consider a baby big until they are well over 9.5 lbs, pushing 10. But then, all mine were between 8.5 - 9.5 pounds. Also, ultrasound is not entirely accurate in predicting size, if they want to predict size from ultrasound you should be evaluated by a perinatologist who is well experienced with measuring late term babies.
So the first thing you can do to avoid induction is to speak plainly with your health care provider and say quite clearly that you are not willing to induce unless there is a clear cut medical reason for it. And that you don't want to consider induction until you are past the end of your 41st week.
You need to be willing and committed to waiting out each increasingly uncomfortable day. It is easy to give in to the pressure of the doctors in those last days.
You can have faith in your body and your baby and tell yourself every day that your baby will come safely when s/he is ready to come.
You might consider chiropractic adjustment called the "Webster Method" . It's very gentle and helps align your pelvic bones. Ask your doc for a referral or, if he/she is unwilling, you might check with your natural child birth educator for a referral. If you don't have one, call one (a CBE) and ask.
One of the best things you can do to prep for birth that may help get things moving along is to walk, walk briskly and regularly every day for at lesat 20 minutes.
There is an accupressure point in the ankles that is claimed to stimulate contractions. An experienced accupuncturist may help with that. (I tried stimulating it myself for two births, no luck).
There's any number of old wives tales on naturually starting labor. Having tried practically all of them, again to no avail, I've come to believe they mostly just make us feel better by making us feel proactive. Babies come when they are ready to come.
Here's a few things you can do.
Any supplements you take should be discussed with your HCP. These were reccommended by my midwives. I took Black Cohosh, Pregnancy Tea and Evening Primrose Oil though both of my last two pregnancies. I can say they made a big positive difference, though they didn't "start" my labor.
Black Cohosh tincture is a uterine tonic. It helps strengthen the uterus and prepare it for labor. DO NOT confuse it with Blue Cohosh which can stimulate contractions and increases uterine rupture.
Start taking Evening Primrose Oil capsules. The prostaglandins ripen the cervix. This won't induce labor, but will help prep the cervix. Some professionals say it's better to apply it directly to the cervix, some say it needs to be ingested.
Have sex and a lot of it. Semen contains prostaglandins, orgasms may stimulate onset of labor. Experiment with positions. Masturbate a lot if that helps you get really good, strong orgasms.
Gentle enemas to clean the bowels may help stimulate gentle contractions. Fleet enemas are available over the counter. This has the added benefit of emptying the bowels, reducing risk of poopingon the table if you do go into labor - and it helped me feel a little more comfortable by making more room in my gut.
DO NOT take
Other things I've tried:
Eating pineapple, drinking pineapple juice.
Drinking cumin tea. It's disgusting.
Take a rough car ride.
Sit on the washer or dryer (while it's running).
Jump up and down.
Get busy and clean, clean, clean your house.
Drink lots and lots of water.
Unless there is a medical reason, there's usually no reason to induce before you are well into your 42nd week of gestation. Medical reasons might include blood pressure, fetal heart rate (signal of distress), low amniotic fluid, high shoulder to pelvic ration (increases risk of shoulder dislocation).
In my opinion (I'm not a medical professional, but I have had four bigger babies vaginally) a "big" baby is not reason to induce. For one thing, what medical professionals will tell you is big isn't really all that big. I don't even consider a baby big until they are well over 9.5 lbs, pushing 10. But then, all mine were between 8.5 - 9.5 pounds. Also, ultrasound is not entirely accurate in predicting size, if they want to predict size from ultrasound you should be evaluated by a perinatologist who is well experienced with measuring late term babies.
So the first thing you can do to avoid induction is to speak plainly with your health care provider and say quite clearly that you are not willing to induce unless there is a clear cut medical reason for it. And that you don't want to consider induction until you are past the end of your 41st week.
You need to be willing and committed to waiting out each increasingly uncomfortable day. It is easy to give in to the pressure of the doctors in those last days.
You can have faith in your body and your baby and tell yourself every day that your baby will come safely when s/he is ready to come.
You might consider chiropractic adjustment called the "Webster Method" . It's very gentle and helps align your pelvic bones. Ask your doc for a referral or, if he/she is unwilling, you might check with your natural child birth educator for a referral. If you don't have one, call one (a CBE) and ask.
One of the best things you can do to prep for birth that may help get things moving along is to walk, walk briskly and regularly every day for at lesat 20 minutes.
There is an accupressure point in the ankles that is claimed to stimulate contractions. An experienced accupuncturist may help with that. (I tried stimulating it myself for two births, no luck).
There's any number of old wives tales on naturually starting labor. Having tried practically all of them, again to no avail, I've come to believe they mostly just make us feel better by making us feel proactive. Babies come when they are ready to come.
Here's a few things you can do.
Any supplements you take should be discussed with your HCP. These were reccommended by my midwives. I took Black Cohosh, Pregnancy Tea and Evening Primrose Oil though both of my last two pregnancies. I can say they made a big positive difference, though they didn't "start" my labor.
Black Cohosh tincture is a uterine tonic. It helps strengthen the uterus and prepare it for labor. DO NOT confuse it with Blue Cohosh which can stimulate contractions and increases uterine rupture.
Start taking Evening Primrose Oil capsules. The prostaglandins ripen the cervix. This won't induce labor, but will help prep the cervix. Some professionals say it's better to apply it directly to the cervix, some say it needs to be ingested.
Have sex and a lot of it. Semen contains prostaglandins, orgasms may stimulate onset of labor. Experiment with positions. Masturbate a lot if that helps you get really good, strong orgasms.
Gentle enemas to clean the bowels may help stimulate gentle contractions. Fleet enemas are available over the counter. This has the added benefit of emptying the bowels, reducing risk of poopingon the table if you do go into labor - and it helped me feel a little more comfortable by making more room in my gut.
DO NOT take
Other things I've tried:
Eating pineapple, drinking pineapple juice.
Drinking cumin tea. It's disgusting.
Take a rough car ride.
Sit on the washer or dryer (while it's running).
Jump up and down.
Get busy and clean, clean, clean your house.
Drink lots and lots of water.