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Any Tricks to Help Kickstart Labor?
After carrying your child for nearly nine months, you're probably ready to give birth and meet your baby. However, labor is unpredictable, and you don't know when it will happen.
The longer pregnancy goes on, the more uncomfortable you may become – which is why many women are ready for labor to begin. But are there ways to get labor going before it starts on its own?
At Collaborative Women's Care in Miami, Florida, Dr. Eduardo Valdes offers obstetrics care throughout every stage of pregnancy. He is an experienced and board-certified OB/GYN providing various women's health services.
When should labor start?
Labor is the part of pregnancy that begins the child-birthing process. When labor begins, the uterine muscles contract, opening the cervix and propelling the baby through the birth canal.
It's impossible to determine precisely when you'll go into labor, but most women go through it around 37 to 42 weeks of pregnancy. If you fall anywhere in between this range, it's normal.
Premature labor happens when it begins before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The average length of pregnancy is 40 weeks, but that varies from woman to woman.
Other factors affect when labor begins, including the baby's readiness, how long it takes for the cervix to prepare for delivery and how close together your contractions are.
Tips to get labor going
You're probably ready for labor if you're nearing 40 weeks or have surpassed it. Carrying around a baby is hard work near the end, and many women are uncomfortable and ready to give birth.
But what happens if labor doesn't seem to start when you want? There are a few tips and tricks to get labor started on your own, and they include:
Eat spicy foods
Some women swear that eating a spicy meal induces labor by stimulating the digestive system. Eating a spicy taco, hot wings, or any other type of hot spice isn't for the faint of heart – tread lightly, but if you're ready for labor, ease in with a spicy meal.
Have sex
Having sex is a fun way to stimulate labor. The act itself may be enough to get things moving, but semen also has prostaglandins that help ripen the cervix, possibly triggering labor.
Stimulate your nipples
Gently stimulating your nipples is another way to induce labor slowly. The body releases oxytocin with nipple stimulation, one of the hormones that kick-start contractions.
Take a walk
Walking might be the last thing you want to do, but it's a great way to start labor. Walk as much as possible to stimulate contractions and prepare your body for labor .
Eat dates
Because of their labor-stimulating effects, prepare to eat a few dates in the last weeks of pregnancy. Dates help ripen the cervix and may stimulate spontaneous labor in the process.
Acupuncture or acupressure
If you want a holistic approach, dive into acupuncture or acupressure. These therapies help the body relax, which could stimulate spontaneous labor.
Drink castor oil
You can also drink castor oil to stimulate labor. It's a natural laxative that stimulates the bowel and possibly the uterus to begin contracting.
These tips are suggestions, but it's important to consult Dr. Valdes before trying anything to get labor started. He offers advice and safety tips to ensure you and the baby stay healthy.
Every woman is different, and some of these tips work better for some than others. Take your time with labor and enjoy the journey. But if you hit any bumps in the road or are unsure if something is normal, don't hesitate to contact Dr. Valdes.
To learn more about kick-starting labor during pregnancy, call our Miami, Florida, office to speak with Dr. Valdes or request an appointment using our convenient online booking feature.
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