Beth Kruger

One of the Care Practices recommended by Lamaze International, which is based on recommendations from the World Health Organization is to let labor begin on it’s own. This is really the first of the care practices, and pretty much sets you up for a more natural, normal birth. Letting labor begin on it’s own time is beneficial for both mother and baby. Doctors and Midwives do not really know what starts labor, but it is believed that the baby may release a hormone that will start labor when the baby is ready for life outside of the womb.

Letting labor start on it’s own reduces the chances of other interventions in a medically managed birth in your typical American hospital. Once a woman is induced her chances of cesarean section almost double.

Here are some other problems associated with induction in normal healthy women:

~ vacuum or forceps-assisted vaginal birth
~ cesarean surgery
~ problems during labor such as fever, fetal heart rate changes, and shoulder dystocia
~ babies born with low birth weight
~ admission to the NICU
~ jaundice (yellow skin caused by the breaking down of red blood cells) that required treatment
~ increased length of hospital stay

This being said using natural methods to start labor can be welcomed by many mothers. Some women are past their due dates and quite uncomfortable, or they are afraid of being “risked out” of the birth center in their local hospital. One of my students wanted some ideas to get her labor started as she is in such a situation.

Here are some ways to kick-start natures design…that might help you to have a more normal, natural birth experience.

~Have Sex!! Prostaglandins in the semen of your partner can soften and ripen the cervix, and may trigger contractions.
~Drink raspberry leaf tea…this is believed to strengthen uterine contractions and stimulate them.
~Evening Primrose Oil-can be taken orally in the morning and evening, as well as vaginally before bed.
~A saline enema can stimulate the bowels which might start labor going.
~Acupuncture and acupressure are known to help start labor and even to reduce pain in labor.

I hope that my student is able to deliver her baby in the Birth Center which will help her to have the kind of birth experience that she wants. It is what all women deserve!