Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Usually a woman's pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. If you are more than 40 weeks pregnant, you are more likely to feel discomfort, impatience and labor will begin. But before you take any medical interventions to induce labor, try some of the following natural remedies to do the process at home.

Steps

Method 1 of 7: Eat several foods

1. 

   Eat pineapple. Pineapple is a fruit that can stimulate labor, it contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps soften or "ripen" the cervix. This is an important stage for labor to begin.
   • Eat only pure pineapple, drink pineapple juice or pineapple smoothie.

2. 

   
   
   Eat spicy foods. Some people believe that spicy foods act as a catalyst for labor. Mexican foods or foods mixed with hot peppers will stimulate this process, but be careful as spicy foods can cause indigestion in late pregnancy.
   • Some studies show that spicy foods can suppress pain thanks to the presence of capsaicin. Capsaicin is also more potent than endorphin, a naturally occurring hormone that helps with pain relief.

3. 

   
   
   Eat licorice. Licorice black is a food that helps stimulate labor, you should eat licorice naturally low in sugar. You can also take pills to supplement with licorice extract. Licorice has a laxative effect and induces contractions in the rectum, which in turn leads to contractions in the uterus.

4. 

   
   
   Eat garlic. Eating the necessary amount of garlic makes it easier for you to have a bowel movement, so your intestines are cleaned to make room for the fetus to move lower.Once moved downwards, the fetus will interact more with the uterus and cervix, preparing for labor.
   • Cook foods with a lot of garlic, as long as the foods don't cause indigestion.

5. 

   Eat plenty of fiber. High-fiber foods help prevent constipation. Because when constipated, your bowel or rectum will swell and take up the space below your body where the baby needs to move down before birth. Therefore, you should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables in the final weeks of pregnancy. Eating prunes or dried fruits is also beneficial at this stage.

6. 

   Drink red raspberry leaf tea. This tea strengthens the uterus and helps the muscles contract during labor. How to make tea as follows: soak a tea bag with about 200 ml of boiling water for 3 minutes, let it cool and drink.
   • In the summer you can make boiled raspberry leaf tea with ice to make a refreshing drink.

7. 

   Drink cumin tea. You can use fennel to treat gastrointestinal problems, in addition it also helps stimulate and regulate menstruation, cure bloating. Make a cup of fennel seed tea to stimulate labor.
   • You can add sugar or honey to neutralize the bitter taste of the tea.
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Method 2 of 7: Body posture

1. 

   Kneel down with hands on the ground. Cow posture helps the fetus lie in the right position. When the baby's head presses downwards and touches the cervix, the cervix is ​​squeezed, shortened and begins to stretch. Each time kneeling for 10 minutes, a day of kneeling many times a day, with this practice the fetus will slowly move into the optimal position.

2. 

   Do not lie back on the couch. Late pregnancy will probably make you tired and often want to rest. But reclining or reclining on the couch is not good for the fetal position in the stage of preparing for labor. Instead, lie on your side on the left side of the body, then gently turn forward and use the mattress to support your body, which will make you feel comfortable.

3. 

   Pop your torso on the birthing ball. A birthing balloon is a large bounce ball (also used in exercise) that can help relax you in the early stages of delivery, and prepare you for labor. Sitting or bouncing on a ball with legs outstretched can help the baby's head move downwards. advertisement

Method 3 of 7: Exercise physically

1. 

   Walk. Walking stimulates the fetus and causes it to move down the body. Once the baby's head presses on the cervix, labor is about to begin. You should take the time to walk for 15-20 minutes, in addition to walking in the fresh air is also very beneficial for your health.
   • Practice walking up steep hills. This practice forces the body to lean forward, with an angle of 40-45 degrees the fetus will move downwards more easily.

2. 

   Do horse riding exercises. Horse riding, which involves bringing one leg up in front and chasing the other leg with the back leg, can cause a slight shock to the fetus. Be careful when doing this exercise to avoid falling.

3. 

   Climbing stairs. Climbing stairs forces your body to tilt about 40-45 degrees and helps your baby move down. Remember to handrails the stairs to ensure safety when going up.
   • You should also stomp your feet with each step as you go up the stairs.

4. 

   Cleaning home. Doing moderate intensity activities can help with labor. Garage cleaning, vacuuming, or mopping the floor are all active jobs and will stimulate labor. This will give you an added benefit of having a clean home when you are finished. advertisement

Method 4 of 7: Prepare the body for labor

1. 

   Have sex. Having sex with your partner or husband causes the body to release prostaglandins, which are similar to the hormones in the body and help stimulate labor. After ejaculating into the vagina, the sperm can soften and widen the cervix, making the body more ready to give birth.
   • In addition, when you orgasm, you also generate prostaglandins, so if you don't want to have sex you can still create that pleasure on your own.
   • Do not have sex when the amniotic fluid has ruptured, as infection may occur.

2. 

   Nipple stimulation. Nipple stimulation is also a way to stimulate uterine contractions. You can use your index finger and thumb to stroke the nipples for 2 minutes, rest for 3 minutes and then stimulate again for 2 minutes, repeat for about 20 minutes. If you do not feel the contraction, you should increase the delay time to 3 minutes and only rest 2 minutes after each session.
   • Apply olive oil to your fingers to prevent itching.

3. 

   Acupressure. Acupuncture is similar to acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine technique to enhance relaxation and healing. According to this technique, our body has acupuncture points, which attract and release blood. Applying strong and direct pressure to two of these pressure points helps to stimulate labor. Acupressure is as follows:
   • Locate the acupuncture points, one on the skin between the thumb and forefinger, the other below the foot and about 7 cm above the inner ankle.
   • Pinch the skin between your fingers, then rub the skin with your hand for about 30-60 seconds in a circular motion.
   • Press firmly with the tip of one or two fingers on a defined point on the leg, then rub on this point in a circular motion.
   • Stop rubbing at either point when you start to feel a contraction, then continue rubbing when the contraction stops.

4. 

   Foot reflexology. This is a method of clicking on the points in the soles of the feet to stimulate labor within 24-48 hours. Click on the points that are involved in the pituitary, bladder, abdominal aorta, and ovary to bring your body into labor. Press firmly and directly on one of the points, or rub vigorously in a circle.
   • Pituitary: This point is located on the big toe, activating the pituitary gland and releasing hormones such as oxytocin.
   • Bladder: This point is located on the soles of the feet and near the roof, stimulates the muscles around the uterus to contract, and leads to uterine contractions.
   • Abdominal aorta: This point is located in the center of the soles of the feet, it helps you relax and feel more balanced.
   • Ovaries and uterus: This point is located on the ankle just below the protrusion of the bone. It feels soft to the touch and promotes uterine contraction.
   • Do not do foot reflexology before your baby reaches 38 weeks of age, as this can cause you to have preterm labor. You absolutely should not try this method in the first trimester because it can lead to miscarriage.

5. 

   Use castor oil. Castor oil aids labor by creating constriction in the small intestine and stimulating the colon. Contraction of the muscles in the small intestine and rectum can lead to contractions of the uterus. However, this method can cause diarrhea, so it is very uncomfortable.
   • Mix about 70 ml of castor oil in a glass of fruit juice and drink it all at once.
   • There is also another way, you can douch the colon at home. However, you should only do this once and be extremely cautious. The method of cleaning the colorectal by douching also makes you dehydrated and uncomfortable afterwards.
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Method 5 of 7: Use herbs

1. 

   Use primrose oil. Evening primrose oil contains prostaglandin, which is a hormone-like substance and can cause cervical contractions. You can get this essential oil by taking 500 mg capsules three times a day.
   • Or you can put the capsule in your vagina at bedtime at night. The moist environment in the vagina dissolves the pill and disperses the gel throughout the cervix.

2. 

   Use the celestial tree. Celery root is an herb that is used to treat symptoms related to menstruation, menopause, osteoporosis, and to induce labor contractions. Celery root is black or blue, and is usually soaked in water or alcohol. Use the dosage according to the instructions on the package.
   • It is thought that the black nettle roots are more effective than green ones.

3. 

   Homeopathic therapy. Homeopathic therapies using maple and caulophyllum (of the royal family) are used to induce labor.People often use the herb to treat menstrual diseases, headaches or insomnia. The caulophyllum plant helps to firm the muscles in the uterus, thereby assisting in the contraction of the uterus at birth.
   • Use the correct dosage as directed on the package for both therapies.
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Method 6 of 7: Relax the body

1. 

   Take a warm bath. Sitting in a hot tub can help relax your body and relax your muscles. Put a few drops of lavender essential oil into the water to make its aroma more serene.
   • Do not take a bath that is too hot to prevent redness of the skin, and also to protect the unborn baby from the stress of overheating.

2. 

   Practice visualization. Sit in your meditation posture and visualize your transcendence. Take a deep breath and visualize how the contraction starts, how the cervix expands, and how to move the baby down the body before going out.
   • Go to the Internet to find an audio meditation guide file to help with labor. These files are usually available for download as mp3. You can also easily find those files with the keyword "hypnosis at birth", this hypnosis applies the same techniques to help you through the entire natural birthing process.

3. 

   Just shout if necessary. Screaming can relieve the body of stress, and so the body is put in its most relaxed state before the process begins. The late stages of pregnancy are very stressful, so don't be afraid to give yourself the opportunity to scream.
   • If necessary, you should have a box of tissues and a soft love film to make yourself cry more easily.

4. 

   To go massage. Massage is a great way to relax your body, but look for a massage parlor that has staff that are knowledgeable about prenatal massages. When you do the massage, lie on your left side and put a pillow between your knees to support your body. advertisement

Method 7 of 7: What to expect from a doctor

1. 

   Know when your doctor will put you into labor. If you really want to have your baby at home, you should still invite a doctor or midwife. Most doctors are not in a hurry to induce labor unless there are reasonable situations that require intervention, such as:
   • Amniotic fluid rupture, but no uterine spasm.
   • 2 weeks past the time to give birth
   • Have an infection of the uterus.
   • Onset of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure or insufficient amniotic fluid.
   • There are problems with the placenta, position or development of the baby.

2. 

   The first action of the doctor may be to separate the amniotic fluid. The doctor will put a glove on the finger and poke it into the cervix to separate the amniotic fluid from the uterine wall. Then, naturally, the hormones are produced and stimulate the uterine contraction.

3. 

   Your doctor can poke amniotic fluid yourself. In this medical procedure called an amniocentesis, the doctor uses a thin hook to break the amniotic fluid sac. This procedure always causes labor to occur just a few hours later.
   • Although amniocentesis is fast, it can be painful and uncomfortable.

4. 

   Your doctor may prescribe prostaglandin, a natural hormone. You can take it orally or place it directly in the vagina. This usually takes place in a hospital and medications work to dilate the cervix.
   • After taking the pill, strong contractions appear and cause you some pain.

5. 

   You may be prescribed oxytocin by intravenous injection. This procedure is usually only done in the hospital when the labor is too long. In the emergency cases mentioned above, the drug also works to induce labor contractions.
   • When using oxytocin, contractions usually come quickly and continuously.

6. 

   Doctors are aware of the risks involved in inducing labor. The strategies listed above are not always effective, especially if your body is not ready for labor. If you have failed to induce labor, seek emergency medical care immediately. You should be careful about the following risks:
   • Infection (especially when the amniotic fluid has ruptured)
   • Tearing of the uterine wall
   • Preterm delivery (due to stimulation of early labor)
   • Uneven contractions.
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Advice

• You should try riding a car (but remember to only have light crashes for the purpose of labor), as the impact of the car can push the fetus down. Currently in Vietnam, this specialized vehicle is not popular yet, always consult your doctor.

Warning

• Check with your midwife or doctor before taking these remedies.
• Do not apply the above measures if the fetus is less than 40 weeks old. Since all of these techniques are unsafe if they fail, try to delay to the fullest extent before attempting any of the techniques to begin the delivery process.