A Guide To Self Induce Labor Techniques

If you are in the final stage of labor you can use self induce labor techniques to bring on the labor process. These techniques are safe provided you fulfill two conditions. First, you should have completed forty weeks of pregnancy. Second, you should consult your health practitioner and get her approval before trying out any self-induced labor techniques.

Various Self Induce Labor Methods

We will be discussing here the various methods that have been used successful by pregnant women to bring about the labor process naturally. These range from herbal remedies to the use of alternative therapies like acupuncture. You can find out which is the most suitable for you by doing a thorough research. You should also be aware of any possible side-effects before trying out any of these techniques.

Herbal Medicines - Are They Safe?

A common method to self induce labor is to take herbal medicines like Blue or Black Cohosh. These are popularly suggested for inducing labor with the mistaken notion that anything herbal is harmless. That is to true. You should remember that these herbs have certain chemical components which give them a medicinal status. For instance Black Cohosh promotes bleeding, so if you are anemic it could make your condition worse.

A safer option could be using pineapple. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which helps in digestion of proteins. This can stimulate the connective tissues of the cervix to bring about labor. However, for this method to work you should eat only fresh pineapples. In canned pineapples the bromelain is destroyed in the preservative process. Mango and papaya also have similar properties, so you can have a pick of your favorite fruit from among the three.

Other Self Inducing Labor Techniques

With Hormones: Prostaglandin is a hormone that causes labor contractions. It also helps to ripen an unripe cervix. You can self induce labor by consuming it orally or applying it to the cervix. A good source of prostaglandin is primrose oil. This has to be applied directly to the cervix with your fingers. Care should be taken not to damage the membrane in the process. If you find it too difficult to do this you can have the primrose oil capsule inserted into the vagina for the same effect.

With Acupressure: Another good method for self-inducing labor is acupressure. This has been scientifically proven to be helpful in inducing labor. Maternity acupressure is a simple, safe and effective technique that is gaining popularity among health care professionals. It involves applying pressure to vital sensitive spots on the body. These points are simply pressed with the fingers and thumbs, unlike acupuncture which involves the use of needles.

With Home Remedies: There are many other home remedies to self induce labor. Walking, for instance, is a simple but effective technique to aid cervix dilation since it keeps you in an upright position and exerts gentle downward pressure on the cervix. Stimulating the nipple can also help induce labor since it increases oxytocin secretion. No matter which technique you choose, remember to keep yourself relaxed and stress free. No self induce labor can work if you are not in a relaxed frame of mind, so stay calm.

Self induced labor techniques are commonly used to bring on the labor process. But before you choose to Self induced labor let your doctor know how you are going to be inducing labor. For more inforamtion visit pregnancy articles.