According to calculations, the due date (HPL) falls on the 40th week of pregnancy. If your pregnancy is past 40 weeks, you may now feel uncomfortable, impatient, and eagerly awaiting labor. If you want to give birth quickly, try some natural ways first before turning to medical intervention.
Step
Method 1 of 6: Eating Certain Foods
Step 1. Eat pineapple
Pineapple is one of the fruits that can induce labor. Pineapple contains bromelain which helps soften and "ripens" the cervix. This is the key stage of starting labour.
Eat pineapples on their own, or make juices and smoothies
Step 2. Try liquorice
Look for natural liquorice that is low in sugar. You can also choose a pill form. Licorice can stimulate cramping like a laxative effect. Cramps in the intestines can induce uterine cramps.
Step 3. Eat lots of fiber
Fiber-rich foods will prevent constipation. If you are constipated, your bowel or rectum will be full and will take up the space the baby needs to descend into the pelvis. So, eat lots of fruits and vegetables in the last weeks of pregnancy. Plums, dates, and other dried fruit can also help.
Step 4. Drink red raspberry leaf tea
This tea can strengthen and tighten the uterus, and induce muscle contractions. Brew tea with 200 ml of boiling water, let stand for 3 minutes. Chill, and drink.
To dispel the heat, make red raspberry leaf iced tea
Method 2 of 6: Positioning the Body
Step 1. Get into a crawling position
This position can help the baby find the birth canal. When the baby's head presses against the cervix, the cervix begins to open or thin out. Position yourself several times a day like this, 10 minutes at a time, to help lower the baby's head into the optimal position.
Step 2. Don't lean back on the couch
At this stage you may get tired quickly and want to relax. However, sitting back on the sofa has the opposite effect with the hope of giving birth quickly. If you want to relax, lean your body in a tilted position to the left and slightly roll forward. Support your body with pillows to make it more comfortable.
Step 3. Sit on an exercise ball and bounce
An exercise ball is a large ball that helps you sit comfortably in late pregnancy. This ball can also be used to speed up labor. Sit or bounce the ball as you sit on it, legs wide apart, to help baby's head descend.
Method 3 of 6: Preparing the Body for Labor
Step 1. Take a walk
Walking can push the baby down into the pelvis. Once the baby's head presses against the cervix, the labor process will not take long. Try walking for 15-20 minutes. For added benefits, try to walk in the open air.
Try the way down the hill. This will force the body to lean forward. An inclination of 40–45 degrees can help the baby descend into the birth canal
Step 2. Try making love
Having sex with your husband can release prostaglandins, which are similar to hormones in the body. Prostaglandins can induce labor. Sperm that comes from ejaculation in the vagina can soften and open the cervix, also preparing the body for childbirth.
- Orgasm can stimulate the release of prostaglandins. So, if you are not comfortable making love, you can still orgasm yourself.
- Do not have sex if the membranes have ruptured because it poses a risk of infection.
Step 3. Stimulate the nipples
Nipple stimulation can also trigger uterine contractions. Rotate the nipple with the thumb and forefinger for 2 minutes. Rest 3 minutes, then continue again for about 20 minutes. If you don't feel a contraction, increase it to 3 minutes at a time, and rest for 2 minutes.
Wet your fingers with olive oil to prevent irritation
Step 4. Try castor oil
Taking castor oil can cause cramps and stimulate the intestines. Contraction of the abdominal and intestinal muscles can also cause uterine contractions. This method will cause diarrhea which may be uncomfortable.
- Mix 50 ml of castor oil in a glass of juice. Drink up.
- Or, try taking enemas at home. However, use this method only once, and with extreme care. Enemas can drain your intestines, also making you dehydrated and uncomfortable.
Method 4 of 6: Relaxing the Body
Step 1. Soak in warm water
Sitting in warm water can relax the body and release muscle tension.
Make sure the water is not so hot that the skin is red. Do not let the baby stress due to excessive heat
Step 2. Try visualization
Sit in a meditation-like position and imagine the beginning of labor. Take a deep breath and visualize the contraction starting. Imagine the cervix is opening. Visualize the baby moving down the birth canal.
Look for meditation audio to trigger labor. Usually, this kind of audio is available in MP3 format which can be downloaded. You can also search for hypnobirthing, which uses the same technique to support expectant mothers during natural labour
Step 3. Try crying
Crying can release tension in the body so that it is relaxed enough to start labor. At this stage you may be tense, so give yourself a chance to release the tension by crying until you are relieved.
If necessary, prepare a tissue, and watch a sad movie that brings tears to your eyes
Step 4. Try a massage
Massage can also relax the body. Make sure you ask for a massage by a therapist who knows how to massage pregnant women. During the massage, lie on your left side and tuck a pillow between your knees for support.
Method 5 of 6: Knowing Professional Action
Step 1. Know when the doctor will induce labor
If you want to give birth at home, you still need to be accompanied by a doctor or midwife. Most doctors will not rush to initiate labor unless there is an emergency, such as:
- The membranes rupture, but there are no contractions.
- The HPL is two weeks past.
- There is a uterine infection.
- Gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or insufficient amniotic fluid.
- There is a problem with the placenta or the position/development of the baby.
Step 2. Know that the doctor's first action is to remove the membrane from the amniotic sac
The doctor will insert a gloved finger into the cervix and rub the membranes of the amniotic sac until it separates from the uterine wall. Hormones released naturally from this action will usually trigger labor.
Step 3. Be aware that your doctor may break the membranes manually
In a process medically called an "amniotomy," the doctor will use a thin hook to break the amniotic sac. Labor almost always begins within a few hours of this procedure.
Although brief, this procedure may be painful and uncomfortable
Step 4. Be prepared to be given prostaglandins, which are natural hormones
This hormone is applied directly to the vagina or taken by mouth. This method is usually done in a hospital, and can thin the cervix to prepare for labor.
After that, you will feel cramps and pain
Step 5. Prepare to be given oxytocin via IV in the hospital
This method is usually applied to slow labor. In an emergency, as discussed above, this can trigger labor.
Labor triggered by oxytocin usually results in more frequent contractions
Step 6. Understand the risks of triggered labor
This strategy does not always work, especially if the body is not ready for labor. If you have tried to induce labor and failed, you should go to the hospital immediately. Pay attention to the risks and conditions like these:
- Infection (especially after membranes rupture).
- Injuries to the uterine wall.
- Premature labour.
- Irregular contractions.
Method 6 of 6: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Go to the hospital if the water breaks
If the labor process has started, you should immediately go to the hospital. The surest sign is rupture of the membranes. When your water breaks, call your doctor and go to the hospital immediately.
- When the membranes rupture, the baby is exposed to the external environment and is at risk of infection. So you have to go to the hospital immediately.
- You'll feel contractions as soon as your water breaks, but if they don't, you'll still need to go to the hospital to make sure it's not a serious problem.
Step 2. See a doctor if you fall or get injured
Physical activity such as walking or running is great for naturally inducing labor, but the risk of injury or falls remains. If you get injured or fall, see a doctor as soon as possible to make sure the baby is okay.
- Minor injuries such as sprains don't require medical attention, but check with your doctor to be sure.
- If the position falls on the stomach, do not panic. Go to the hospital to be checked. Stay calm so the baby doesn't get stressed.
Step 3. Seek medical help if you are allergic to herbal remedies
Even the mildest herbs can cause side effects in some people. If you are pregnant, you should be extra careful with negative reactions to herbal remedies. Go to the hospital immediately if you have an allergic reaction.
- Mild symptoms such as hives, itchy eyes, or patches of skin can already harm the baby.
- Allergies also sometimes cause serious symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and wheezing.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor if you have anxiety or depression
You may be anxious or depressed in the lead-up to labor. Your doctor can help you deal with those feelings or help induce labor. Don't harbor negative feelings, talk to your doctor and tell him how you feel.
- Your doctor can refer you to a psychiatrist who can help you deal with the problem.
- Depression is a common symptom during pregnancy. So you're not the only one experiencing it.
- Usually, symptoms of depression or anxiety will go away after the baby is born.
Warning
- Consult your midwife or doctor before trying any of the methods above.
- Most natural ways here are not supported by scientific evidence.
- Do not use this technique until you are 40 weeks pregnant. While it's safe, you should still wait for the natural process as long as possible before triggering it intentionally.
