To speed up the labor, you can use some natural methods such as taking a 1-hour walk in the morning and afternoon, at a fast pace, or increasing the frequency of intimate contact, as this helps to soften the cervix and to increase the pressure of the baby under the pelvis.
Labor starts spontaneously, between 37 and 40 weeks of pregnancy, so these measures to speed up labor should not be done before 37 weeks of pregnancy or if the woman has any complications, such as pre-eclampsia or placenta previa.
Some ways to speed up labor include:
1. Have intimate contact
Intimate contact during pregnancy helps prepare the cervix for childbirth, because it stimulates the production of prostaglandin, in addition to increasing the production of oxytocin, which is responsible for promoting uterine muscle contractions.
Intimate contact to stimulate labor is contraindicated from the moment the pouch breaks due to the risk of infection. Thus, it is recommended that the woman use other natural methods to speed up the delivery.
2. Walk
Walking or walking for 1 hour in the morning and afternoon, at a fast pace, also speeds up the labor, because it helps to push the baby down towards the pelvis, due to gravity and the sway of the hips. The baby’s pressure under the uterus helps to increase the production of oxytocin, stimulating uterine contractions. This technique is most effective at the beginning of labor when the pregnant woman begins to experience weak and irregular contractions.
3. Do acupuncture
Acupuncture stimulates uterine activity by stimulating specific points on the body, but it is important that it be done under medical advice and by a specialized professional to avoid complications.
4. Take evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil helps the cervix to dilate and become thinner, preparing it for delivery. However, its use should only be done under the guidance of the obstetrician, who should also adjust the dose according to the pregnant woman.
5. Take castor oil
Castor oil is a laxative and, therefore, by causing spasms in the intestine, it can stimulate uterine contractions. However, if the pregnant woman is not yet showing signs of labor, she may have severe diarrhea or dehydration. For this reason, the use of this oil should only be done under the indication of the obstetrician.
6. Drink raspberry leaf tea
Raspberry leaf tea helps tone the uterus in preparation for childbirth and makes labor progress at a good pace without being as painful.
7. Drink jasmine tea
Tea made with jasmine flowers or leaves can be used to stimulate labor and it is recommended to drink this tea 2-3 times a day. In addition, this medicinal plant is also known for its essential oil, which can be used at the beginning of labor to massage the lower back, as it relieves pain and cramps.
Other ways to speed up labor, such as eating spicy foods, drinking cinnamon tea or stimulating the nipples are not scientifically proven and can also cause health and well-being problems for pregnant women such as dehydration, heartburn, diarrhea, or vomiting.
There are other ways to speed up labor used by the obstetrician, such as the administration of the hormone oxytocin through the vein to stimulate uterine contractions or the rupture of the pouch made on purpose by the doctor to speed up the labor, but these options are usually used after 40 weeks of gestation.
Signs that indicate the start of labor
Signs indicating that the pregnant woman will go into labor include increased frequency and intensity of uterine contractions, accompanied by pain, rupture of the “water bag” and loss of the mucus plug, which is characterized by the release of a brown discharge from the vagina.
As soon as a woman begins to experience symptoms of active labor, it is important that she go to the hospital or maternity ward, as this is a sign that the baby is close to being born.