Natural Induction Methods
There is no doubt that the induction rate is rising. Here are some natural
and non-medical ways to induce labor:
1. Relaxation techniques, to get you relaxed then use some
visual imagery of labor beginning. I have a friend who swears by a good cry - she
gets a tearjerker form the video store and has a good bawl to relieve tension.
She has had 3 children and went at least 1 week overdue with each of them. The
most important thing to do is to find a way to relieve tension. Tension works
against labor. Relieve it, let everything go, and you may be surprised to find
yourself in labor.
5. Enemas - this causes the bowels to contract and could cause the uterus to contract, which will open and efface the cervix. Use with caution.
6. Exercise - Walking, swinging in a swing and general exercise contracts the uterus. Squatting for short periods. Hula dancing, or belly dancing.
7. A bumpy car ride may sound like an old wives tail, but if the baby is not in a good position, your sitting and relaxing while being moved by the car through bumps has worked.
8. Pineapple. I just found out about this one, and I love pineapple. If it doesn't give you heartburn, eating lots of pineapple is reputed to begin labor and ripen the cervix. I assume it has to do with the enzyme found in Pineapple
9. Cumin Tea. This is used by midwives in Latino cultures.
Traditionally, a raw cube of potato is added to the tea, it absorbs the
bitterness of the cumin. You can add sugar to this one or honey.
1 T. cumin seed to one cup of boiling water, allow to steep for 5 minutes, then
drink. No more than 1 cup an hour per day.
10. For labor, several herbs are used by midwives to induce labor or to stimulate contractions. Care should be taken NOT to take any of these herbs without first conferring with a midwife, physician, and a herbalist. These labor-enhancing herbs are:
5W: Combination of Black Cohosh, Squawvine, Dong Quai, Butchers Broom, and Red Raspberry
Evening Primrose Oil: ripens the cervix - internally 5 gel caps up against the cervix daily.
11. Castor Oil
If you do decide to go ahead and
use castor oil, I personally think that four ounces sounds a bit much. Three
teaspoons is about right – try mixing it with some juice or pour it over a salad
(tuna salad is a good alternative). A word of caution, castor oil can give you
cramps and diarrhea if you know how you react to laxatives (strong ones) then
you know if you want to use this method during labor and delivery.
12. For long labors and tired moms, Ginger root (should not be given within an hour of birth) and Ginseng can increase a mom's energy level during a long, difficult labor. For pain, some midwives suggest meditations along with Motherwort or Skullcap (take the edge off the pain). St. John's Wort has been known to help with back and uterine pain and may be used in conjunction with Skullcap for a complete effect.
13. While no official evidence exists regarding acupressure and inducing/stimulating labor, many perinatal specialists (midwives, physicians, childbirth educators and doulas) confirm the relationship between acupressure points and increased uterine contractions. When applying finger acupressure, instruct the client to press against the desired point on the skin. Massage in a small circular motion. Continue for 1-5 minutes.
Three points are commonly used to stimulate labor and the first two are also linked to relief of migraine headaches.
Hoku (Large intestine 6): located deep in the
webbing between either hand's thumb and forefinger; in between the 1st and
2nd metacarpal bones. Stimulation of this point has been know to begin
labor, enhance contractions during labor and in non-pregnant females, bring
on menstruation several days early. Also may relieve pain from migraine.
Chih-yin (Bladder 67): located approximately
1/10" behind the lateral corner of the smallest toe's nail of either foot.
Stimulation of this point has been known to relieve labor pains and migraine
discomfort.
San-yin-chiao (Spleen 6): placing your left hand
on your right leg with your pinkie finger just above the interior ankle
bone, the lateral tibia is located just under where your index finger lies.
You may utilize both points simultaneously by placing a thumb on each point
as shown.
14. After 42 weeks, ask your midwife about the Placement of Balloon Dilators. Your care provider will place a balloon inside your cervix and fill it with water. [The pressure from the balloon will imitate the pressure of the baby's head and hopefully your cervix will respond by ripening and dilating. Balloon devices provide mechanical pressure directly on the cervix as the balloon is filled.] A Foley catheter (26 Fr) or specifically designed balloon devices can be used. The main advantages of using hygroscopic dilators include outpatient placement and no FHR-monitoring requirements*
Just as care providers need to share information regarding the administration of medication to either eliminate pain in labor or to induce or augment contractions during labor, so should the client inform the care provider when she decides to use any of the above methods to induce or augment labor.
References:
Reeder, S., Martin, L., and Koniak-Griffin, D. Maternity Nursing: Family, Newborn, and Women's Health Care. (1997) Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company.
* taken verbatim from http://www.aafp.org/afp/20030515/2123.html
Thank you to Joy In Birthing for this excellent article.
More Contributions:
Food
Spicy food has been suggested, and if she isn't prone to heartburn why not give
it a try? However, avoid causing heartburn during labor. Indian, Mexican and
Cajun are good choices.
Chinese food pig out - has worked for a few people that I know. (Maybe it is the MSG???)
More on Castor Oil: (Consider only once cervix is opening) I used castor oil
to stimulate my two last labours. My mother's encouragement, she used it
too.
Ingest between 3 tbs to 4 oz of castor oil mixed w/ chocolate ice-cream, soda or
other options (below). Always start with the smallest amount and go up from
there.
Ideas for Caster Oil Cocktails:
1. one large glass of orange juice mixed with three teaspoons of castor oil and
one teaspoon of baking soda. This gets foamy and goes down easier.
2. Castor oil scrabbled in 3 or more eggs
3. Drink oil straight followed immediately by hot apple juice
4. Put 2 oz of Castor Oil in 4-3 oz. Of root beer, place palm over top of the
glass and shake vigorously, drink immediately
5. Castor Oil, orange juice and ice cream blended
6. 2 oz of castor oil in a Chocolate Slim Fast shake
It works by stimulating the bowels, which in turn stimulates the uterus.
Metamucil works this way also.
Castor Oils can be combined with anything that makes it easier to take. It is
usually recommended that the mom take 1 dose, then take a hot shower and then
the second dose two hours after the first, and another hot shower if she feel
like doing so. This has the relaxation effect needed to help start labor. Some
midwives recommend vodka, but a hot shower seems to do the trick.
One of the very possible side effects of using castor oil or an enema is the mom
having severe diarrhea and cramping, leading to dehydration. It may also be
associated with a higher risk of the baby passing meconium before or during the
birth. Also, remember that it is a strong laxative and you will be on the
toilet a lot more than usual - but at least you will be all cleaned out by the
time you deliver the baby!
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