Inducing labor - tricks, exercises, experience. A balloon and a pill to induce labor
A woman's pregnancy lasts an average of 40 weeks, i.e. 280 days. The date of delivery is determined by the gynecologist according to the date of the last menstruation, the first movements of the fetus, based on the first ultrasound, or a combination of these methods. If the baby is not born even after 42 weeks of pregnancy, it is a carryover. The induction of labor is approached so as not to harm the mother or the fetus. Just like premature birth, a long stay in the womb is not desirable.
Author:Victoria Clark
Updated: 06.12.2023
Labor is a hormone-driven process that usually starts on its own when both the woman's and baby's bodies are ready. Due to various medical complications or other circumstances, it can happen prematurely, it is often the other way around and the birth does not come on the first calculated or other dates. Natural tips for inducing labor are often helpful, if they do not work, it is necessary to resort to artificial induction of labor.
Only 4% of women give birth on time
The expected date of birth will be determined by your gynecologist, but you can roughly calculate it yourself. Determine the date of the 1st day of the last normal period, subtract three months, add 7 days and adjust the year (+1). The set date is only indicative, in total only 4% of women will give birth on that date. It depends on the length of the cycle, the calculation is carried out according to a regular 28-day cycle. A term birth is defined as a birth that takes place between the 38th and 42nd weeks of pregnancy. When calculating the term, the most important is the first ultrasound, which is performed between the 8th and 12th week of pregnancy. Then the length of the fetus from the top of the head to the coccyx can be measured most accurately.
Most women give birth in the 38th-40th week or in the 41st or 42nd week, only 7 to 10% have premature births. If the pregnancy lasts more than 42 weeks, i.e. more than 294 days, we are talking about prolonged pregnancy, carrying. Usually, induction is approached if more than a week has passed since the expected date of birth.
Reasons for inducing labor
Induction of labor is approached not only when carrying, but also when the health of the mother or the child, or both, is at risk. After the 38th tt, the placenta ages and the oxygen supply deteriorates, which is dangerous for the mother and the child. Diabetes mellitus is also a reason for inducing childbirth. In the case of diabetes, it is advisable to proceed with the induction of labor in the 39th to 40th week of pregnancy. Artificial induction of labor is used even if there is premature outflow of amniotic fluid or outflow of amniotic fluid on time, but there is no spontaneous onset of labor. The reasons for inducing labor are e.g. also high blood pressure (preeclampsia), kidney disease, slowed fetal growth, breech birth or dead fetus.
When is labor not induced?
In some conditions, inducing a vaginal birth is not desirable. These include a disproportion between the volume of the head and the pelvic opening, acute hypoxia of the fetus, abnormalities in the size or structure of the pelvis (for example, surgery for urinary incontinence), but also an entrapped placenta (partially or completely covering the cervix), acute obstetric hemorrhage, a prolapsed umbilical cord or presumed fetal immaturity.
Before the due date, the doctor can end the pregnancy by induction if there is a greater risk to the mother or the fetus than the immaturity of the fetus.
Preinduction and induction of labor
Pre-induction of labor is a set of methods aimed at preparing the future mother for childbirth. The mother's organism is not yet ready for vaginal birth, therefore preinduction achieves maturation of the cervix, which increases its sensitivity to the action of the preparation for inducing birth. It is actually about preparing the body for childbirth. Induction of labor is the artificial induction of contraction activity in order to terminate the pregnancy.
Hamilton palpation, hydrophilic sticks (Dilapan S), balloon Foley catheter (balloon to induce labor) or administration of prostaglandins in the form of gel or tablets are used to promote cervical ripening.
Which helps to induce labor
Many mothers-to-be want to avoid artificial labor induction, so they often try it in the comfort of their own home. They try various tricks to induce labor at home, more or less successfully. Fluctuating movements, certain types of food, a warm bath, but also sex help to induce labor naturally. Which home tricks are the most used?
- Rocking movements: Gentle rocking movements of the abdomen can be helpful in inducing labor. A woman should kneel on all fours and slowly rock back and forth. The exercise must be repeated several times, then take a rest and do the rocking again. Oscillating abdominal movements can also be performed using the Rebozo technique. In this case, a shorter scarf is wrapped around the abdomen, and the assistant (e.g., father) uses its ends to make fluctuating movements of the abdomen. The third option is swinging on a fitness ball. Gentle bouncing on the ball can induce labor.
- Exercises to induce labor: Movement can help you start labor. Walking, dancing or squatting are most often recommended to induce labour.
- Cleaning: Total cleaning, or physical exertion is said to be effective in inducing labor. Many mothers have experience with this. Everything is in moderation, when cleaning the house, you should avoid working at heights (washing windows, dusting tall cabinets, etc.).
- Sex: Fluctuating movements during sex stimulate the birth canal and the uterus, which is why contractions can start after intercourse.
- Nipple massage: Stimulating the nipples releases the hormone oxytocin, which causes uterine contractions. The nipples need to be massaged between the thumb and forefinger for several minutes.
- A warm bath: A warm bath has been proven to induce labor both at term and during delivery. It is not suitable during pregnancy precisely because it could start labor. It is recommended to add stimulating oils, such as cinnamon, ginger or clove, to the water.
- Herbs to induce labor: Nature's gifts in the form of teas or massage oils can also help you to induce labor. Contractions of the smooth muscles of the uterus are supported by cinnamon, motherwort or fennel tea, raspberry leaf tea helps with the onset of contractions, and lavender tea opens the birth canal.
- Food: Some foods can also take care of starting labor. Recommended is e.g. castor oil. Mix two tablespoons with 3 dcl of juice and a little plum (or cognac) and drink the drink. You can also try a decoction of cinnamon and cloves or pineapple. For some mothers, a tonic containing quinine has proven to induce labor, and spicy food is also said to help.
- Reflex points for inducing labor: Stimulating certain points on the body can trigger labor. For a minute, try to stimulate e.g. the little toe, the hollow behind the big toe, or the space between the ankle and the Achilles tendon.
- Massage of the perineum: It facilitates the passage of the baby's head and reduces the risk of cutting the perineum, sometimes it is reported that it can also induce labor.
How long does it take to induce labor
Before induction of labor, the doctor examines the maturity of the cervix. If the cervix is soft, partially consumed and beginning to open, it is easier to induce labor. If the throat is immature, pre-induction should be started. The doctor will inject a prostaglandin pill into your vagina, use a balloon to induce labour, hydrophilic sticks or Hamilton palpation to induce labour. For some women, this is enough to induce labor and labor starts spontaneously, for some it is necessary to induce labor with oxytocin or the doctor induces labor mechanically - by amniotomy, i.e. by rupturing/disrupting the sac of membranes.
The release of amniotic fluid is painless and is carried out during the examination. The birth should occur within two hours, otherwise it is necessary to apply pharmacological methods. The induction of regular uterine contractions is achieved with the help of oxytocin (intravenous infusion) or prostaglandins (as in preinduction), which are applied to the cervix in the area of the internal portal. Synthetic oxytocin is given by drip until the woman experiences contractions at short intervals, a birth-inducing pill is given every 6 to 8 hours, while doctors monitor the baby's pulse. How long it takes to induce labor cannot be said exactly, but after induction it lasted, according to many mothers, from 2-3 hours to several days (2-3 days).
Induction of labor - experience
Castor oil cocktail, acupressure points, sex, but also physical exertion or stimulation of the nipples are some of the ways mothers induce more or less successful birth at home. They also have experience with inducing birth in a hospital and in most cases they confirm that there is nothing to be afraid of. It is important to look forward to the baby. Only a few mothers said that after the inducer the birth took place with severe pain.
The most frequent questions - FAQ
Induction of labor is carried out during pregnancy even if the ongoing pregnancy could endanger the mother or the fetus. There are different methods of inducing labor, some can be applied by future mothers at home, some are performed by a doctor in a hospital. In the article, we presented you with various options for starting labor, which can be helpful during transfer. What is your experience with labor induction? Did any of the midwife advice mentioned work or did the birth have to be induced in the hospital? We'd love for you to join the discussion and share your advice and tips.
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