When it comes to the time of birth, it is generally best to let the natural process run its course, unless of course there is a medical need to induce labour. However, if this is your first pregnancy, you will usually be facing a long labor (lasting from hours to days) and need to know some things you can do to speed up the process and make it more comfortable. Read this article to learn how.
Step
Method 1 of 3: During Pregnancy
Step 1. Spend a lot of time standing
Standing up straight can help the baby reach the ideal birthing position (anterior position), so the delivery process will be faster and easier. Spending a lot of time sitting or lying down during pregnancy will change the position of the pelvis, increasing the chances of your baby ending up in a posterior position with the back of his head pressed against his spine.
This position can cause lower back pain during labor and potentially delay labor, while waiting for your baby to make a 180-degree turn in the pelvis
Step 2. Try acupuncture
One study conducted at the University of North Carolina found that pregnant women who underwent acupuncture for 40 weeks had a higher chance of experiencing natural labor than those who did not. As your due date draws near, consider acupuncture to induce labor naturally.
Method 2 of 3: During Labor
Step 1. Drink enough
Dehydration can trigger "false contractions," or contractions that occur even before labor begins. Staying hydrated when labor begins is also very important to maintain strength and stamina.
Step 2. Stimulate your nipples
This action will release the hormone oxytocin which can trigger the acceleration of contractions. You can ask your partner to help you do it or use a breast pump.
Step 3. Have sex
If the water has not broken, you can have sex to induce labor naturally. When a man ejaculates in the vagina, the prostaglandins contained in the sperm will stimulate the cervix.
Make sure that ejaculation occurs in the vagina so that the prostaglandins can work
Step 4. Walk
Many people believe that light physical activity, such as walking or cleaning the house, can help speed up labor. Make sure you only do physical activities that are safe and comfortable to do.
Step 5. Relax
Stress will tighten the muscles and this is something that should be avoided during labor. Ask your partner to give you a massage or practice breathing exercises to help you relax. In addition, a warm bath can help you relax and reduce some of the discomfort caused by contractions.
Step 6. Have more than one child
Most women experience a significantly longer period of first labor than subsequent children, because the cervix and vaginal walls have stretched or dilated. In general, subsequent labor is shorter and less painful.
Method 3 of 3: When is the Time to Induce Labor
Step 1. Know when a medical is needed to induce labor
There are several situations that might trigger a healthcare provider to suggest a medical induction of labor. The situations are:
- Two weeks have passed since the due date.
- Your uterus has an infection.
- You haven't had contractions even after your water has broken.
- You have a pre-existing health condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, that may put your baby at risk.
- Worsening condition of the placenta.
- Your baby's growth stops suddenly.
- There is not enough fluid in the amniotic sac to protect your baby.
Tips
- Always maintaining a healthy physical condition will make labor easier by increasing your immune system and strengthening your muscles, thereby reducing some of the pain you may experience.
- The following activities are able to naturally reduce some of the pain experienced during labor: walking, taking a warm bath or shower, sitting on a birthing ball, listening to soothing music, trying different positions (such as crawling), getting a back massage/rub, warm/cold compresses, meditation, and prayer.
- Every woman experiences a unique birth process, even between pregnancies. There is no way to predict how long labor will take or what the pain will be like. However, generally your first labor will be the longest.
- During the first pregnancy, identifying exactly when labor will begin is quite difficult to do. Before going to the hospital (if this is part of your birth plan), call your doctor to discuss your symptoms. It is common for a woman with her first pregnancy to be discharged from the hospital if she is still in the early stages of labour.
- Learn to distinguish between false and true contractions. False contractions, or Braxton Hicks contractions, occur before the amniotic fluid ruptures, and exhibit the following characteristics: random occurrence, no increase in duration, and no stronger contractions over time than actual contractions. Many women begin to experience this during the third trimester of pregnancy, and it is believed that this is part of the body's mechanism to prepare for the actual delivery process.
- It is very important to consider in advance the way you choose to deal with the pain of labor. Some women prefer to receive anesthesia or analgesics for pain relief, while others choose to give birth without pain medication. Keep in mind that many women who initially decide to go with the natural process end up changing their minds when labor comes along and the pain increases.
Warning
- Although being patient is difficult, most doctors will advise to save strength and be patient rather than wasting energy due to wanting to speed up the labor process.
- If two weeks have passed since your due date, your doctor will most likely suggest induction of labor.
- Straining may be made more difficult by the anesthetic, especially if you have lost the sensation in the necessary muscles. If you are unable to push effectively, your doctor may need to provide delivery assistance.
- Talk to your doctor before taking any new medicines, herbs, or vitamins during pregnancy to make sure they are safe.
