Ways to Start Labor

When you have completed all the stages of pregnancy development, you can expect your baby anywhere between the 38th to 42nd weeks. The hormone responsible for natural labor induction is called oxytocin, and is produced by the body. Because of some complications, the production of oxytocin can be delayed, or the production might not be sufficient for childbirth. If you have passed even the 42nd week with your baby inside your womb, you are "post date". In such a situation, doctors advice for labor induction. There are many ways to start labor. Both medical and natural methods are found to be effective. You can choose any one way for inducing labor. Still, it will be better to follow what your doctor suggests. However, you can acquire information on different ways to start labor through the following steps.

Medical Ways to Induce Labor

• Pitocin is the synthetic form of oxytocin. It is administered through an intravenous line or catheter. You will have to lie down on a bed for pitocin induction. Uterus response to pitocin is checked every half hour. If the need arises, the amount of pitocin induction is increased to start labor.
• Some doctors recommend cervical ripening. It is done by placing Prepidil gel within or around the cervix with a syringe.
• There is a tampon-like insert called Cervidil, which is kept inside the vagina with a time-released medication. It is removed if hyper-stimulation occurs.
• Prostaglandin gel is applied on the inside of your vagina. This helps in dilation of the cervix. The hormone prostaglandin stimulates uterine contractions, and softens the cervix.

Natural Ways to Start Labor

• Keep your body physically active. Doing some household chores such as cleaning the floor, cooking, etc. and walking for about 10-15 minutes will help a lot.
• There are certain pressure points to induce labor. These are Hoku, Bladder 32 and Spleen 6. Rub or press them as recommended to induce labor.
• Eat tropical fruits such as papayas, pineapples, kiwis and mangoes to start labor naturally.
• Eat spicy foods. Spices boost your digestion and increase the availability of prostaglandin in your body.
• Herbs like blue and black cohosh, evening primrose oil, basil, oregano and red raspberry are known to induce labor.
• A dose of 60 ml of castor oil is said to start labor. Try it out with your doctor's assent.
• Nipples, on stimulation, activate the production of oxytocin in your body. Stimulate them gently. Vigorous stimulation can cause strong contractions.
• Talk to your baby and assure him that the outside world is safe and his family is waiting desperately to greet him. Such baby pep talks are also found to be effective many times.
• Think of certain positive and productive things such as the blooming of a flower, safe delivery of your child, etc. It prepares the baby for the delivery.
• Keep yourself relaxed. Take help of yoga and meditation for relaxation. When you are relaxed and free from physical tensions, the body prepares itself for childbirth.
• The hormones such as prostaglandin and oxytocin, help in ripening the ovary. During sexual intercourse, you get prostaglandin from semen and your body produces oxytocin. Therefore, make love to start labor.
• Press the roof of your mouth with your tongue. This not only helps in labor induction but also makes you feel relaxed and calm.

The journey of pregnancy is a joyful experience. Avoid doing anything without your gynecologist's agreement. Give it a happy and safe ending with any one of the aforementioned ways to start labor with your doctor's recommendation.