“Natural” labor inducers?
You are 39 weeks pregnant-you have been dilated at 2 for 4 weeks now; you?re 75% effaced; and the baby is at a zero station(not to mention right on top of your bladder), as soon as you stand up in the morning your feet swell to double their size, your hands have swollen so much that you are now wearing your rings on a necklace and you have the ?pregnancy waddle? so bad you look like a duck waddling to the pond on a bright, Spring day. You are miserable. All you want is for this to be over. You beg the doctor to induce you and cry when he says, ?See you next week.?
Sobbing, you call all your friends, family, and even the girl who cuts your hair searching for any tips or tricks to ?get things moving? on your own. Most commonly suggested tip-sex and lots of it. Even though it has not been scientifically proven to induce labor; having sex is a safe way (as long as your water hasn?t broken) to try and get labor going. Having sex creates a prostaglandin release; which is very similar to medications used for inducing labor. Also the male ejaculate contains the same prostaglandins which stimulate the cervix and could possibly get your uterus contracting.
Next they tell you to walk. Walk your butt off! Though not scientifically proven to stimulate labor-going for walks is great exercise; but be careful not to exhaust yourself. You will need lots of energy when ?Labor Day? arrives.
Spicy foods-there is no proven fact that links eating spicy foods and going into labor. There is no ?direct? connection between the uterus and the stomach-but still some people swear that eating peppers and hot sauce is the way to go.
Older wives tales suggest that consuming a small amount of Castor oil will get things moving. The only thing that is seems to stimulate is the bowels. It is proven; however, that Castor oil brings on terrible diarrhea, which could lead to you getting dehydrated.
Some women like to try the more herbal approach and try either Cohosh or Evening Primrose Oil. There have not been any studies that prove that either herb stimulates your uterus and promote labor. Actually, physicians are quite leery and cautious of using either one. Both are under studied and potentially dangerous.
So, as you can see-thee are quite a bit of suggestions on how to ?naturally? start labor. Before you try any ?natural? approach to jump starting labor; be sure to consult your healthcare professional first. Only you and he can determine what is safe for you and your baby.
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