Inducing labor - like a boss

Saturday, 4^th October. No, this is not the 'I am in labor' entry. We are still waiting. As long as it is only such a short time after the due date, most docs suggest waiting, unless there are good reasons to have your doc induce labor. But there are some methods of how to lend nature a hand, so that labor might start. I have tried a few of these methods the last two days, but have not been successful with them up to now, which doesn’t mean much, because this might simply take a little more time. Besides, today, waiting is somehow less of a problem, it doesn't chip away my patience as it did during the last week.

 

Walking. Definitely not my favourite at the moment, because I waddle pretty much. If I got it right, walking helps to put baby into the best position. Yes, as if you had not guessed it, the aim is your pelvis again, walking might help in getting baby lower down into your pelvis.

Sex. My favourite (what a surprise). Whether orgasms might help to induce labor is still disputed. But it might just be what it takes to start labor. First of all, in semen is a substance that resembles (or is it identical? Not sure) a hormone that a pregnant woman produces to prepare the cervix for delivery. So, you know where to put this. The lovely contractions from your own orgasm might also just be enough to let the uterus start actual labor.

We have been in the favourable position that sex is still allowed. Maybe I should say  ‘I have been in the favourable position’! :) It is a lot of hard work, but someone ‘s got to do it… The work is hubby’s job. :)

I have primrose oil here and am allowed to take it, but have not, because I don’t like meddling with my body by using substances without a really good reason behind it.

Primrose oil also softens up the cervix and it might therefore help dilating. But I think this is definitely N O T for every pregnancy. If there have been problems with the placenta, this is probably a no-no. And I have asked doc and midwife whether this would be ok, and got all thumbs up.

Something which I cannot really do is eat spicy food. It is supposed to help with digestion and that might somehow help to start contractions in your uterus?! I cannot comment on that one, because I cannot try. I simply get heartburn immediately, from everything spicy, sweet or too salty.

There is another one that I have not tried yet. Massage. This is about the levels of a hormone called oxytocin, it is one of the feel-well-hormones and it is connected to starting labor. Massage can increase this level and therefore can help. I know that you release this hormone in other situations too, e.g. cuddling and being in a warm bed, possibly sleeping. And, surprise, surprise, in our family most moms-to-be had labor start at night. So sleeping, cuddling, being in a cozy place is  maybe just what it takes…after a long walk.

There are absolutely more methods that might help induce labor naturally, and I guess just as many myths about others, such as castor oil. If in doubt, I'd always ask the medical experts, and getting on their nerves is definitely better than doing anything that might cause harm. 

I wish you all a lovely weekend !