How To Start Labor

Starting Labor…

Your physician cannot tell you exactly when or how your labor will begin, which is the hard part for most expectant moms. The uncertainty of labor can make most moms nervous enough to question how to start labor at home. While most home methods of inducing labor are safe, you must first decide if it is the right time to begin labor. If you have reached or passed 37 weeks in your pregnancy induction methods may be tried but are still not recommended until you have gone past your due date.

If you experience any of these health problems in your pregnancy that can pose a threat to you or your baby, your physician may recommend artificially starting labor before your due date.

• Toxemia
  Pregnancy induced hypertension, known also as toxemia or pre-eclampsia is a very dangerous and threatening condition if not monitored carefully by your doctor. Symptoms include high blood pressure, swelling of the face, hands, and feet and high protein levels in your urine. Doctors are still unsure of what exactly causes toxemia but they do know that it can have deadly consequences if not treated properly.
• Gestational Diabetes
  This condition can have serious consequences for the mother. Women with gestational diabetes are at risk for having babies that can be too large to deliver safely. Some health care providers may recommend inducing labor before your due date to prevent the baby from becoming too large or to prevent the possibility of a caesarean section.

Your due date is an estimated 40 weeks from the date of conception. If your pregnancy goes passed 42 weeks, it is possible that your baby is still healthy and just needs more time in the womb. However, going passed 42 weeks can also have negative consequences on the health of your baby. Most physicians will induce labor to not allow a pregnancy to reach or go beyond 42 weeks.

• Overdue Baby
  If your pregnancy reaches or surpasses 42 weeks the placenta may not be able to continue to sufficiently supply your baby with enough oxygen and nutrients. Again, most physicians will induce labor before this point to ensure the baby does not suffer from inadequate nutrition.
• Large Baby
  If your health care provider feels that your baby may become too large for you to deliver, he may want to induce labor early. As with gestational diabetes, when the baby becomes too large to deliver safely, a c-section may be ordered to deliver the baby. Ultrasound technology can give a very good estimate of the size of your baby before you deliver, but they are not exact measurements. Your baby could weigh up to a whole pound more at birth than the ultrasound determined. This is especially true if the ultrasound is done before the last 4 weeks of pregnancy, when your baby is significantly building up his fat supply.

How to Start Labor

If you and your physician have determined that it is safe to start labor, there are several methods to choose from to begin the process.

• Natural herbal/homeopathic techniques If you have ever wondered how to start labor at home there are some natural methods you can use to stimulate contractions and get your body ready for labor. Meditation in a dark and quiet room helps the body eliminate stress and get ready for the birthing experience. Taking a dose of castor oil can stimulate the uterus to contract. Black and blue cohosh can also bring on contractions.
• Natural, physical methods
  Sexual intercourse has been known to cause contractions to begin. Certain hormones in a man’s sperm and female orgasm can cause uterine contractions and the cervix to thin and dilate. Nipple stimulation causes the release of oxytocin, a hormone which is known to trigger contractions. Doctors also recommend walking to put more pressure on the pelvis and get the body ready for birth.
• Artificial Methods
  The body will only begin the labor process when the cervix is ready, meaning when the cervix is thin and soft. If you need to be induced, your health care provider may administer a treatment that will cause the cervix to become ready for labor. One example, cervidil, is a cream that is applied directly on the cervix. Many women are given a drug called Pitocin, which is an artificial form of the natural female hormone oxytocin. Pitocin is administered through an IV and aides in the onset of contractions.

There are always risks associated with labor induction, whether it is performed at home or by a physician. For the safety of you and your baby, be sure the home methods you choose are approved by your health care provider.