If your due date has come and gone and there’s still no sign of your new arrival, you begin to wonder if they’ll ever get here. While natural labour inducing methods have been used for centuries, make sure you get the okay from your doctor or midwife to ensure the health of both baby and mother.
Sex
When is comes to inducing labour, sex is one of the most common suggestions made by doctors and birthing specialists. This method can work for a variety of reasons. Most notably, seamen contains chemicals known as prostaglandins, which are often used in hospitals to induce labour. These chemicals are known to help soften the cervix, preparing it for birth.
Sometimes the factors preventing us from going into labour are more mental than physical. Sex can be a solution to this as it releases the hormone oxytocin, which causes the body to relax. The female orgasm is also believed to be a powerful player in encouraging labour as it stimulates the uterus. If sex just isn’t an appealing idea at the moment, your partner could try stimulating or tweaking your nipples. This mimics the act of breastfeeding, releases oxytocin and is believed to kick-start contractions.
Acupressure
Acupressure, not be confused with acupuncture, can be a great way of encouraging labour without the use of drugs. Your partner can use acupressure by applying pressure in six specific points along your body which are believed to induce labour. The most effective of these points is the pericardium 8 point, located in the center of your palm. Your partner can provide stimulation by applying light pressure to the area and massaging.
Evening primrose oil
Evening primrose oil contains gamma linoleic acid (GLA), which is a prostaglandin precursor. Taken in the last weeks of pregnancy, evening primrose oil will ripen the cervix and increase flexibility of pelvic ligaments. While some take the oil orally and swear by the results, many women opt to take the capsule as a vaginal suppository. For those that can’t reach that far, this is where your partner’s help may be necessary.
Hot bath with clargy sage oil
One of the easiest ways your partner can help bring their little one into the world is by running mum a long hot bath. A hot bath with clargy sage oil is believed to contract the uterus, inducing labour and starting contractions. Clargy sage oil is highly potent and to be absolutely avoided until you are safely past you due date.