Natural Methods of Induction

The body and the baby go through lots of changes in order to be prepared for birth. Forcing birth unnaturally can lead to problems for both the mother and the baby through the birth and in the postnatal period. It is important to remember that waiting for birth to start naturally will give you a faster, easier and safer childbirth.

We get concerned about medicalisation however using these natural remedies to induce labour before spontaneous onset interfers with the normal physiological process of birth. It is important to adjust your due date and think of birth occurring at any time between 38 weeks to 42 weeks so that you and your family can relax and let nature take its course in the miracle of birth.

Before using any of these methods please inform your caregiver of your intention so that there is full discussion of risk and benefits of each method.

Sweeping or stripping the membranes

This is a simple technique that is performed during a vaginal examination. The practitioner's finger is introduced in the cervical os - opening of the womb - and the membranes are detached inferiorly from the lower part of the womb. This is thought to increase local production of prostaglandins. This may be a safe way of avoiding induction by promoting spontaneous onset of labour between 38 - 42 weeks however a larger study is needed to know how effective it is.

Making love

Making love (having sex) as well as having an orgasm can help to induce labour. Orgasm releases hormones to assist uterine activity. Semen contains prostaglandins, the same substance which is secreted by the womb lining and responsible for softening the cervix and initiating labour. Lovemaking also stimulates the cells of the cervix to secrete their own prostaglandins. After intercourse the woman should try to keep the semen around her cervix for as long as is comfortable. This lets the prostaglandin in your husbands (partners) semen coat your cervix and helps to ripen it. Some people suggest that if you are not in the mood for sex then using your husband (partner's) sperm by inserting it in your vagina as close to the cervix as you can may also induce labour.

Nipple stimulation

Nipple stimulation can produce very strong contractions. Hence, it is not advisable to practice it to initiate labour unless asked by the LMC or a doctor to do so. Nipple stimulation can even reactivate a halted labour. Some suggest doing nipple stimulation for 15 minutes at a time every three or four hours. Protocol from Maternity Nursing: Family, Newborn, and Women's Health Care by Reeder, Martin and Koniak-Griffin say that hyper stimulation may be avoided by using the following regime:

• roll nipples between thumb and forefingers for 2 minutes
• rest for 3 minutes
• repeat rolling/resting for 20 minutes*

* They suggest increasing rolling to 3 minutes and decrease resting to 2 minutes for 20 minutes if inadequate contractions occur after initial 20 mins.

Nipple stimulation is also very beneficial after the birth to aid in expelling the placenta and thus avoiding haemorrhage.

Relaxation techniques

Anxiety and tension works against labour. So find a way to relieve tension and anxiety. Relieve tension by using visual imagery or music, let everything go, and you may be surprised to find yourself in labor

Hypnosis or self-hypnosis

Hypnosis or self-hypnosis has been known to help to induce labour. To visit website on hypno-birthing: Click Here

Castor Oil

Using castor oil or an enema can lead to bad diarrhoea with cramps that can lead to dehydration, which is why often the suggestion is to steer clear of it! It is believed to be associated with a higher risk of the baby passing meconium before or during the birth, but the evidence is not conclusive. Usually three teaspoons is advised and to make it palatable it is suggested that you mix it with some juice or pour it over a salad (tuna salad is a good alternative). For a cocktail the suggestions is to mix it in large glass of orange juice with one teaspoon of baking soda. It works by stimulating the bowels, which in turn stimulates the uterus. Metamucil works in similar way so it can be an alternative to castor oil.

The Cochrane review (2001) which is a meta-analysis of literature on Castor oil, bath and/or enema for cervical priming and induction of labour say that further research is needed to attempt to quantify the efficacy of castor oil as an induction agent.

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is thought to ripen the cervix. Some suggest internally inserting 5 gel caps up against the cervix daily. Others suggest take Evening primrose oil (gel-caps) orally 3X's per day and inserting 2 in the vagina at bedtime may help to ripen the cervix. After internal insertion you need to stay laying down otherwise they may fall out. It doesn't START labor, only prepares the cervix. You can also massage the oil from the capsules onto your cervix.

2 - 3 capsules of Evening primorse oil can be taken orally daily at almost 38 weeks. Then about a week later you can start putting it on your cervix as long as the bag of waters is intact. Do not insert evening primorse oil if your waters have broken.

Accupresuure and Acupuncture

Accupressure is finger pressure aplied on a desired spot and the area massaged in circular motion for one to five minutes. It is actually best to tailor the treatment to the individual person. For more information on this talk to your LMC or practitioner who is caring for you. Though no evidence exist to support accupressure helps in inducing or stimulating labour many practitioners feel there is a realtionship between accupresure and uterine contractions.

In relation to acupuncture for induction of labour the Cochrane Review (2001) concludes a need for a well designed randomised controlled trial to evaluate the role of acupuncture to induce labour.

Blue and Black Cohosh

For Blue Cohosh the homeopathic remedy is Caulophyllum 200c and for Black Cohosh it is Cimifuga racemosa. Use of Blue Cohosh should not occur without talking to a homeopath, as some studies have connected this herb with infant heart irregularities and heart attack. Blue Cohosh is very effective but you need to use the homeopathic remedy which has no risks. Don't use it if you are anaemic or have a history of postpartum bleeding, high blood pressure or excessive blood loss during birth. Usual recommendation is 3 to 4 drops under the tongue every 4 hours. Use only following consultation with a homeopath, an LMC or a specialist.

Rasberry Leaf

Raspberry leaf is very good for ensuring contractions are good. It may be taken as an infusion or by tablet. Scientific proof is being gathered and the belief is that tablets are best as the dose is more accurate than herbal infusions. You should not start taking rasberry leaf till 36 weeks of pregnancy as it can lead to preterm labour.