SO impressed! My Braxton-Hix contractions really would kick up, not in frequency but just in strength. I wasn't a big believer but I figured, 20 bucks, I'll try it. Herbal Tinctures - During my pregnancy with Ash my midwife suggested a "mother's blend" tincture, which you can get from someone trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I know some hospitals even suggest women use breast pumps and have them available. Nipple Stimulation - Nipple stimulation also releases a lot of oxytocin. we even had sex during labor (my water hadn't broken) and it totally kicked things into high gear, I started transitioning a little over an hour later! Knowing this, I never let our sex life go during pregnancy, esp the last month. If you choose a hospital induction you will likely be giving Pitocin, which is a synthetic oxytocin (only instead of gentle contractions it'll make your uterus contract painfully hard and can distress baby). because of the prostaglandins, and orgasms cause uterine contractions (gentle, nothing that will start labor but like a little uterus workout) and your body releases oxytocin, which is also released during labor. Sex - Like I said I'm sure you've heard this, everyone loves to suggest it, but sex totally does work. I did not take it with my 3rd or 4th pregnancy) double prostaglandins score! (update: I've since read that EPO may increase risks of bleeding, I did not take it with my 3rd of 4th pregnancy.) (update: I've learned that EPO does not have much research supporting it, and may increase bleeding issues. I know some women who use the oil as a lube. Starting at 36 weeks I take 1000mg 3X a day orally and insert one up against my cervix at night. EPO doesn't start labor, it softens/ripens the cervix which is an essential part of birth. Also, once when I was researching chemical inductions (what you will encounter in a hospital) I learned that the cervix ripening cream/tampon often used, Cervidil, main ingredient that makes it work are prostaglandins - but from pig semen, which I personally find gross. I'm sure you've heard to have sex to induce labor, well the reason for that is because semen is also high in prostaglandins (helps sperm accomplish mission impossible). after reading into it I learned that EPO is high in prostaglandins. When I asked my OB about it during my first pregnancy he didn't seem to think it would do any good. I recently learned you can take capsules and I also heard you can get a tincture which is stronger/more effective.ĮPO - At 36 weeks I start taking evening primrose oil (EPO). I like science and studies and statistics, so I don't really know how helpful this really is because I've never found much science behind it, but I put it in my "hey it can't hurt" category. It is supposed to improve uterine tone, so when you are in labor your contractions will be more effective, strong uterus's do a better job at pushing out babies. RRL - I half heartily do red raspberry leaf (RRL) tea throughout the pregnancy. This is not medical advice, I still suggest you talk to your doctor or midwife. this is just what I have done, some things I've experienced and learned in my own pregnancies. these are good tools to have in your toolbox just in case. I get that, I respect that perspective, but if your options are this or a possible hospital induction with Pitocin. Some people argue by doing this you wont be having a natural labor/birth. Yes, a baby might be viable at 39 weeks, but in the process of forcing a delivery you may cause a problem that otherwise wouldn't be there (ie, injury to baby, NICU stay, infection, maternal hemorrhage). You should always weigh the risks of encouraging labor vs the risks of continuing the pregnancy. I've delivered at 41 and 38 weeks, and delivering instead of struggling with ever increasing insulin doses was a better option for us. The reason I went deep into researching induction (natural, mechanical or chemical) is because with my babies I've had gestational diabetes that tends to spiral out of control at 37 weeks. If your body and baby are ready for birth, and your pregnancy needs a gentle push to the finish line, these are some possibly options. Seeing 40 weeks come and go, a looming holiday, or wanting your body back (trust me, you don't get it back because baby has left the building) don't qualify. I don't like the term "Natural Induction." There is nothing natural about inducing labor. I believe babies are best at choosing their birthdays, however, there are times when the risks of continuing the pregnancy outweigh the risks of attempting to induce.
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