While doctors agree that in most cases it is best to wait for the natural onset of labor, in some cases nature needs a boost. Here's how to induce labor safely at home, and what to expect during an artificial induction.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Induce Labor at Home
Step 1. Have sex
It's a common recommendation that women make, but there is a lack of studies to prove its effectiveness. The theory is that female orgasm can induce labor, as can prostaglandins in semen in contact with the vagina.
There is one exception: do not use this method if the waters are already broken. After the amniotic sac ruptures, you run the risk of an infection
Step 2. Try a breast massage
Stimulation of the nipples can release oxytocin, which is part of the cocktail of hormones that initiate contractions. Do a massage several times a day for five minutes.
- Breast stimulation will not induce labor. But if the cervix is already dilated, it can speed it up.
- Don't overdo this step - too much stimulation can result in too strong contractions.
Step 3. Take a walk
Gravity when standing upright and the swaying of your hips as you walk will help your baby settle into the correct position to be born. Walking can also speed up labor if you already have contractions.
Avoid getting too tired. Remember, labor is a very tiring process. Save your energy not to be too tired when the real fatigue begins
Step 4. Be wary of methods that don't work
There are many urban legends regarding what induces labor. Here is a brief summary of the methods that Not you should try:
- Castor oil, which will irritate your gastrointestinal tract. It will not induce labor and it will make you sick to your stomach.
- Spicy foods. There is no scientific evidence that contractions are linked to consuming spicy foods.
- Some herbs, such as cohosh and night primrose oil. They haven't been studied enough to be considered harmless, and herbs with compounds that mimic hormones can be harmful. Talk to your doctor before trying to use supplements.
Part 2 of 4: Artificially Induce Labor
Step 1. Get your membranes torn
The doctor will insert a finger with a glove into your uterus, and slide it along the wall of the uterus, separating it from the amniotic sac. It is a procedure that can be done in your doctor's office, after which you can go home and wait for labor to begin.
- You may notice menstrual spotting in the meantime, don't be alarmed. Contact your doctor if the flow is more intense than that of your period.
- This is the only labor-inducing procedure that is not done in the hospital. All other methods that will follow are performed under close medical supervision, and should guarantee birth within a few hours.
Step 2. Take medications to soften and open the cervix
If you haven't yet undergone the physical changes in your cervix that indicate labor is imminent, your doctor can administer some medications that may induce it. These compounds mimic the hormones that initiate labor.
- Misoprostol, which can be taken orally or vaginally.
- Dinoprostone, taken as a vaginal suppository.
- Oxytocin (Pitocin), which is administered intravenously. Oxytocin-induced labor can progress even faster than natural labor, especially for first-time mothers. Be careful though, fetal stress is a risk with this drug, and could lead to an emergency cesarean.
Step 3. Request a Foley catheter to open the cervix
If you prefer not to take medication, your doctor can force the cervix to open with a balloon catheter. A small tube with a deflated balloon at the end is inserted into the cervix, and subsequently the balloon is inflated.
The balloon catheter is left in place until the cervix has dilated enough for it to fall, usually about 3 cm
Step 4. Manually break the waters
When your cervix is open and the baby is in place, but your waters have not ruptured spontaneously, the doctor will perform an amniotomy, during which he will gently break the amniotic sac with a sterile plastic hook.
Your doctor will closely monitor the baby's heartbeat and make sure there are no complications from the umbilical cord
Part 3 of 4: Inducing Labor with Homeopathic Methods
Step 1. Try acupuncture
Clinical tests suggest acupuncture may help induce labor for some women. The risks are minimal - if acupuncture doesn't work, try one of the other methods.
Part 4 of 4: Know the Risks
Beware of the risks. According to the United States Center for Disease Control, one in five women are artificially induced labor. Induction is preferable to a caesarean delivery, but it is not entirely without risk. Here's what you need to know.
Step 1. Most doctors will not induce labor without a valid medical reason
Elective inductions are rare, and almost all after the thirty-ninth week. Your doctor may consider it if you live far enough away from a hospital that you risk not reaching it in time in the event of natural labor.
Step 2. The medical reasons for induction are different
The most common are:
- You're a week or two past your due date, and your waters haven't broken. At this point, damage to the placenta is a greater risk of inducing labor.
- You have a medical condition that makes continuing pregnancy dangerous, such as pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, or lung disease.
- Your water has been breaking for more than 24 hours, but you still don't have contractions.
Step 3. Be aware of potential complications
Inducing labor does not mean that you will automatically run into these complications, but the possibilities exist. However, if you are giving birth in a hospital or in an equipped clinic, the team of doctors at your disposal knows these risks and will be ready to face them.
- Increases the likelihood of having to undergo a caesarean section. If labor is induced and the situation does not progress spontaneously, a cesarean is the best and often necessary choice.
- Your baby may have a slow heartbeat. Some of the drugs used to speed up contractions can affect your baby's heart rate.
- You and your baby run the risk of an infection.
- You may experience umbilical cord prolapse. That is, the umbilical cord could slip into the birth canal before the baby, creating oxygen supply problems.
- You will risk more severe bleeding after giving birth.
Advice
Rests. Labor is exhausting. If you plan to induce it in the next few days, rest long before doing it
Warnings
- A woman should not attempt to induce labor on her own before the 40th week of pregnancy.
- Don't have sex if your waters have broken. You could risk infection of the fetus.
- In all cases, the methods shown increase the chances of having to receive a cesarean or rupture of the uterus if you have already undergone a cesarean.
