Home Labor Induction – Myths and Facts
If you’re sick of being the size of a house and tired of struggling to put on your slippers, then it is only natural that you would be looking at methods of home labor. It is important, however, to know that home labor induction should only be attempted if you are nearing or past your due date, since to induce labor too early could lead to health complications for your new born baby.
The natural home labor inductions that we will discuss are
- sex
- nipple stimulation
- food
- herbs
- castor oil
- acupressure
and we will discuss which ones are old wives tails and which may actually work.
Sex
When you’re nine months pregnant and feeling tired and uncomfortable all of the time, sex is probably one of the last things you want to do. But does it work as a method of home induction? It’s possible but it is more likely to ripen the cervix and prepare it for labor, This is because semen contains an enormous quantity of prostaglandins and this, when deposited on the cervix, has the effect of softening the cervix.
Nipple Stimulation
This one has been known to work because when a nipple is stimulated a hormone called oxytocin is produced and this hormone is responsible for producing contractions. It is interesting to note that orgasms also cause the production of oxytocins.
Food
Unfortunately the statistics are out on this one. Women over the years have sworn foods like pineapple, spicy foods, Chinese food and licorice have worked as a method of home labor reduction but in actual fact, scientists are today telling us that spicy foods could be something to avoid prior to labor because they release capsasins which could be counterproductive in labor and may actually work against the natural release of endorphins, which serve as painkillers, thus making childbirth more painful.
Herbs
Herbs have been used for centuries as a method of home labor induction, but in truth they can sometimes do more harm than good, since some herbs are harmful in high doses but safe in low doses and it can be confusing to know what dosage to take as it can vary from one manufacturer to another.
Castor Oil
Again castor oil has been used for centuries as a form of home labor induction and works on the basis that it causes intestinal cramping and diarrhea, which stimulates the uterus which then produces prostagladins which then produce contractions. Time is out on this one really since the mother can be at risk of dehydration, due to the diarrhea and this can tire her out leaving her less able to endure the physical process of labor.
Acupressure
This method of home labor induction is by far the most relaxing and comfortable to try, and even if it doesn’t work for you, you’ll be glad you gave it a try. Acupressure works in much teh same way as acupuncture, by focusing on specific pressure points of the body, only thumbs and fingertips are used in place of needles. This makes it a much gentler treatment and is good for anyone, like myself, who has a phobia of needles.
Click here for your step by step guide to Maternity Acupressure
