Women whose gestational age is between 38 and 42 weeks may be anxious about the onset of labor. If you want to go into labor early, there are several methods you can try at home or with the help of your doctor.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Stimulating Early Labor at Home
Step 1. Get up often
There is a relationship between women who stand during work or for long periods of time with early delivery. This may be related to the extra stress on your body, so listen to your body when you are at term.
Step 2. Try acupuncture
From the results of most studies on home delivery methods, women who received 3 sessions of acupuncture at 39 weeks gestation or more were more likely to initiate labor without induction. This method can lead to a healthier natural delivery, as one study also showed a 50 percent reduction in cesarean deliveries in those who had acupuncture.
Step 3. Have sex
Semen secretes prostaglandins, which are the same chemicals that stimulate the cervix during labor. Having sex can also release the hormone oxytocin, which helps to facilitate delivery once labor has begun.
Step 4. Drink castor oil in small doses
Castor oil can stimulate the stomach, causing early labor. Be aware that castor oil in large doses can cause diarrhea, which can lead to fatigue.
Avoid methods that tend to cause fatigue before delivery. If you have no strength or you are dehydrated, your chances of having a healthy delivery will decrease
Method 2 of 2: Medically Induced Early Labor
Step 1. Make a medical appointment for an early induction later if you are at 42 weeks pregnant
After this limit, your pregnancy is considered a health risk and your doctor will have to perform induction in the hospital.
Step 2. Start with prostaglandins
The doctor's first method will most likely apply prostaglandins near the cervix, to encourage the release of your hormones. This hormone can also be given in pill form.
Step 3. Do nipple stimulation
The doctor will ask you to stimulate the area around your nipples to release the hormone oxytocin. This is usually done if there are medical staff in the room because there is a risk of overstimulating the uterus, leading to complications of labour.
Step 4. Wait for your doctor to insert the Foley catheter
This balloon catheter will be inserted near the cervix to stimulate prostaglandins and labor. Once your cervix begins to open, the pressure on the catheter will cause it to come off.
Tips
- Many sites suggest home remedies such as eating spicy food or walking. Some of these methods can speed up labor once it's started, while others are myths. If in doubt, consult your doctor.
- Always discuss herbal treatments or medicines with your doctor before using them. Although evening primrose oil is thought to release the hormone prostaglandin, too few studies show that it is safe for use in pregnant women.
