Most women are ready to have their baby and be done with pregnancy as their due date draws near. There are several ways that women have used to get labor started so that delivery can occur. Some women's doctors will induce their labor. This happens for many reasons including progressing a couple weeks past the due date, if the baby has gotten too big for a healthy delivery, if a woman's water breaks and labor doesn't begin and if an illness is present, in mother or child, according to BabyCenter. Women can try some of the natural means to induce or they can work with their doctor if they prefer a more medical approach.
Exercise
According to Joy in Birthing, exercise helps contract the uterus, leading to labor. The best exercises produce mild exertion and include walking, swinging or squatting. The motion produced helps bring the baby into position and also allows gravity to take effect on bringing the baby down, says the Dr.Spock website. A woman should be sure to take it easy so injury does not occur. In addition, getting too tired can make it difficult to summon the energy needed to get through labor.
Natural
Many women claim that castor oil made them go into labor. It works by causing the intestines to cramp, which can help get contractions started. It can be swallowed plain or mixed in food or juice, says Joy in Birthing. Another method is acupressure, however there is no official evidence that this works. Some say it can bring on contractions, others say that it relaxes a women; allowing the body to do its work. Finally, an herb called black cohosh can help to regulate contractions. Giving Birth Naturally says that women should only use this as a tincture and not in capsule form.
Food
According to Giving Birth Naturally, pineapple can help ripen the cervix and release prostaglandins, which help start contractions. Black licorice can also have this affect. Many women also say that spicy foods or Chinese foods can bring on labor. Most doctors don't advise a full stomach when in labor in case of a cesarean section.
Hospital
There are many ways in which doctors and nurses will get labor started or speed it up. Use of medications to release prostaglandins or an IV drip containing Pitocin, which starts contractions, are the two most common. BabyCenter says that many women will receive a Foley catheter, which places pressure on the cervix, leading to dilation. Doctors can also strip the membranes, which means they separate the amniotic sac from the uterus, or break the water, which aids in getting contractions started.
