The prospect of the birth of your baby is bound to bring much excitement to you, especially if you’re a first time mom. After months of preparation, you’ll finally be able to hold your little angel in your hands. However, the idea that during your baby’s birth you’ll have to undergo into hard labor may also prompt you to be understandably worried and anxious, especially when the day arrives for you to deliver your baby. Your doctor or medical practitioner may opt to induce labor during your birth to address certain problems. For instance, it is not advisable if you still haven’t given birth when it’s already a week or so past your due date. Being in this situation is very risky for your child, as it increases stillbirth or serious health problems. Another reason for inducing labor is if your baby grows too big and you may need c-section already. Here are a couple more things about induction while giving birth:
Techniques for inducing labor
The methods that will be used to induce labor will usually depend on your cervix at the time of your birth. If for example your cervix doesn’t dilate (open up), soften, or even efface (thin out), then it just means you’re still not ready to go into labor. To speed up the process, your doctor may opt to make use of hormones, or implement “mechanical methods” in order to help your cervix “ripen.” One of the techniques uses prostaglandins. In this case, after you’ve been admitted to the hospital and your condition has been assessed, your caregiver will try to induce labor by inserting a medicine with prostaglandins into your vagina. Another option is by using a Foley catheter during birth. Instead of applying medication, your medical practitioner will insert a catheter using a tiny uninflated balloon into your cervix – triggering it to finally soften and dilate.
Natural methods
If you’re not really inclined towards the idea of giving birth prompted by medical procedures to induce labor, you can try natural methods instead. You have to take note, though, while natural remedies will not work unless you have already started to dilate, they can still help in softening your uterus. It’s highly recommended to take in spicy food or help yourself to pineapples. It’s also a very good idea to go for long walks in a conscious effort to aid labor prior to birth.
Labor induction to help you during your birth is generally considered safe, but it doesn’t hurt to discuss it in great detail with your medical practitioner. That way, you’ll know what to expect, and what the risks are, if any.
