Monday 4 August 2014

Natural ways to stimulate labour when you are overdue

Welcome to my blog on natural ways to stimulate labour when you are overdue. I hope you find it interesting and informative. However, as with all natural therapies it is always advisable to see a qualified practitioner for the best advice for your own individual circumstances.

Once you reach or pass your EDD or estimated date of delivery, it is very tempting to look for ways to induce your labour. However, bear in mind that most babies are not born on their due date and research suggests that term plus eight days is the average for first time mums. After all it is only an estimated due date, your menstrual cycle could be longer than the average twenty-eight days, and there are many other factors to consider too. Babies generally come when they are ready without any need for intervention.

Medical pressure occurs once you have well and truly passed your due date, at approximately 12-14 days post-mature, and you are advised to book in for a medical induction of labour. Frantically you search for more natural methods of stimulating labour, and I have listed the most popular and the most effective natural ways to stimulate your labour below. However, it is advisable to have regular monitoring to make sure all is well for you and your baby during this period of time.

Start with the most simple ways and work your way slowly through them, until you hit the jackpot, or go back to the beginning again! Here is a brief summary of my suggestions for you:

• Relaxation – practice your relaxation techniques and release any remaining fears with your helium balloons, which may be inhibiting the start of your labour. The stress hormones can over-ride your own labour inducing hormones, and prevent the onset of labour.
• Visualisation – spend time visualising your cervix opening slowly just like a beautiful rosebud and your body working in harmony just as nature intended to bring your baby into this world.
• Make love – now this might be the last thing you fancy doing right now, but your partner’s sperm is full of natural prostaglandin, which can stimulate the cervix to ripen. It certainly beats having a prostaglandin pessary inserted vaginally by a midwife or doctor!
• Keep active – Take a walk, and spend some time rocking on your ball to open up your pelvis and make sure your baby is an optimal position for labour and birthing.
• Nipple/clitoral stimulation – if you really can’t manage to make love and even if you do, then having an orgasm and stimulating your nipples or clitoris may help stimulate your hormones if you are ready to go into labour.
• Eat labour inducing foods – many women have found certain foods such as pineapple, eggplant parmesan, and hot spicy vegetable curry have helped kick-start their labour. The jury is out on the pineapple, as you may have to eat more pineapple than any one person could tolerate to get enough bromelain to start labour.
• Evening Primrose Oil – the secret is in one of its components, gamma linolenic acid (GLA) the starting point for the synthesis of hormone-like-compounds called prostaglandins, which stimulate labour. Ideally, these supplements should be taken orally, from about 36 weeks gestation to be most effective. Check with your midwife or doctor to make sure there are not any contraindications health-wise.
• Acupuncture – in Traditional Chinese Medicine, meridians are a series of energy channels that carry ‘qi’ or energy throughout the body. Stimulating these points may help to promote balance within mind and body, release endorphins, block pain receptors to your brain, and increase uterine efficiency during labour. Ideally, you should start these sessions with a qualified professional acupuncturist during your pregnancy rather than waiting until you are overdue.
• Acupressure Points – similar to acupuncture but without the needles! Pressure points on energy meridians specific to labour are stimulated to promote natural labour and enhance close partner involvement in a vital role. Acupressure also may help with the release of natural endorphins, your own natural pain relief during labour. Here is the link for the easy to use free online manual by Debra Betts: http://acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupressure/download.aspx.
• Reflexology – Reflexology is an ancient skill based on the reflex points on the hands and feet. By applying gentle pressure to certain points on the feet, it will stimulate a response in the corresponding organ or system of your body. Having reflexology may help to stimulate the onset of labour if you are overdue. However, the most benefits occur when you have reflexology during pregnancy to maintain balance and wellbeing.
• Homeopathy – Homeopathic remedies are ideal for pregnant women as they are a gentle yet effective way to stimulate labour, however it is always advisable where possible to contact a homeopath for advice on the most suitable remedy for your individual circumstances. Not only can homeopathy help to stimulate labour, it is an effective way to maintain wellbeing during pregnancy and beyond. For a qualified homeopath contact the Society of Homeopaths.
• Last resort – Castor oil! Take 100mls mixed with orange juice. In a small study of 100 women, over 60% went into labour but all of them felt nauseous. For good reasons this is no longer used as a routine method of induction. It has the same effect as having a curry, but more intense. In other words it stimulates the bowel to empty, and in turn this stimulates contractions. I took it myself when I was young and impatient, but that is the only time in my life I have taken castor oil, and I don’t intend to repeat the experience. However, I did go into labour a few hours later, so it did work!

The best way to avoid induction of labour is to start using complementary therapies in the third trimester from about 36 weeks gestation, which gives them time to become more effective prior to labour and birth.

As with all complementary and natural methods it is always more beneficial to consult a qualified complementary health practitioner and discuss your plans with your midwife. Many natural options are effective if used wisely. They may reduce the need for medical induction, and the cascade of intervention that is inevitable most of the time following this procedure, which leads to a higher rate of assisted births and caesarean section.