Let’s put ourselves in situation. You, very pregnant at more than 38 weeks. With a belly whose dimensions have already exceeded the limits of your imagination. A thousand and one nights without sleep, hot flashes, heaviness, nerves, uncertainty and a lot of discomfort. The worst thing is that you have no idea when the specific moment will be when you will meet the baby. Is there anything you can really do to speed up the process? Have you heard testimonies from some women who have exceeded 40 weeks of pregnancy! All of this makes you start to wonder and question yourself.how to stimulate labor.
Keep reading. Along the following lines we try to resolve all the questions you are asking yourself right now. Leave us a comment below if there’s anything we can help you with!
Stimulation of labor
when you became the pregnancy test you calculated FPP(expected date of delivery) considering 40 weeks of pregnancy as the final time. However, it is a fact that cannot be known with complete certainty.
The Childbirth Is Ours Association states that “most babies come into the world between 38 and 42 weeks”. In week number 38, the pregnancy is considered “full term”, your baby is already formed and mature, ready to be born. However, delivery can occur later.
If after 40 weeks your baby is still “comfortable” in your belly, you may hear about “induction of labor.” However, you should know that labor is not provoked if there are no complications and at least until you are in week 41-42. In any case, there is nothing better than letting nature take its course since, as it says,María, our physiotherapist:“Your baby is ready to be born and your body is ready to give birth.””.
When you should not stimulate labor
Before continuing reading you must be very, very clear that you should not carry out these practices if there is abdominal pain, very painful contractions, dizziness, vaginal bleeding, breathing difficulties, loss of amniotic fluid or muscle weakness.
Furthermore, it must be taken into account that “Labor stimulation” is NOT the same as “labor induction”. The latter is carried out by medical order to avoid greater risks after an exhaustive control. Some of the cases in which labor induction is performed are:
- When your water has broken without having contractions.
- If more than 42 weeks of gestation have passed.
- If there are risk factors such as gestational diabetes or hypertension.
- When problems occur in the placenta.
How to stimulate labor? Techniques that can help you
With development of the fetus in the third trimester You have reached the last stage, the final stretch. You are over 38 weeks and you feel very heavy, anxious and incredibly uncomfortable. You look huge, your whole body hurts a lot, but especially your feet and back. You no longer have any energy left for practically anything. How difficult these last weeks of waiting are becoming!
Yes, it is best for nature to act, but… how to stimulate birth? How to ensure that the moment arrives now? ¿Hay algo que esté en tu mano para echarle una manita a la naturaleza?
Love is always the solution
No, no… it’s not a cliché!Sexuality in pregnancy It influences in a more than positive way throughout the 9 months of gestation and of course, at the time of delivery.“What is the reason?” you may be wondering. Or rather… THE reasons! They are the following:
- It stimulates cervix facilitating labor dilation.
- Helps increase levels of oxytocin.
- The quantities of prostaglandins contained in the seminal fluid favor the contractions.
Now you will tell me that with the size of your belly and so on in recent weeks, maintaining some positions is somewhat uncomfortable for you. It’s totally normal. That is why you should not forget that you can always resort to stimulation of erogenous zones and/or erotic games. Did you know that in the past, hospitals used to stimulate the nipples to help facilitate childbirth? Apply the story!
Of course it goes without saying that you take care of yourself.sexual health while following the recommendations of your gynecologist and/or midwife at all times.
Relax and enjoy
You already know how it influences emotional health during pregnancy, No? It is very normal that at this point you are somewhat more nervous and anxious. However, caaaaaalma. This state of tension only increases your adrenaline and delays the moment of delivery.
Give yourself a moment of self-care: fill the bathtub with warm water, listen to that playlist in the background that makes your mind flow, an incense stick,… Take advantage of the benefits of prenatal sensory stimulation and take care of your baby while you take care of yourself.
Try to enjoy this precious and unforgettable moment without obsessions or restrictions. However, it is also important that you have your birth plan but at the same time you are flexible and let yourself be helped by the professionals who care for you.
“Grandma’s” remedies
We couldn’t stop commenting on some gossip that you’ve probably heard and that (very sorry)They have no scientific validity! Don’t get carried away by everything you read or what they tell you because… not everything goes.
Yes, we are sorry but… neither the change in the lunar cycle, nor spicy foods, nor acupuncture have any scientific and contrasted evidence. Maybe you think they help you because the placebo effect that this entails.
All you can do is take care of yourself, eat well, stay hydrated and enjoy this wonderful moment.
Physical exercise to stimulate labor
Oh! ¡physical exercise during the third trimester of pregnancy! That efficient and effective option for everything. Special mention must be made to our great ally in stimulating labor. Any activity that prevents us from leading a sedentary life will help us and provide multiple benefits: taking walks or walks, dancing at a gentle pace, doing housework, going down stairs (better than climbing them), yoga and/or Pilates for pregnant women, and, of course, you have our childbirth preparation course, in which we have designed our own method and where you will find all kinds of techniques and exercises for each moment of childbirth, including those last weeks.
Of course, we want to highlight how important it is do everything without making great efforts so as not to produce the opposite effect and also avoid unnecessary injuries and exhaustion.
Physical exercise with Swiss ball
As? Do you still not know the benefits of the Swiss ball and how it helps stimulate labor? The Swiss ball, or “fitball“, helps to tone the pelvic floor, stimulates circulation and strengthens respiratory capacity. We recommend that you try the following exercises:
- Sit on the floor with your legs bent (“Indian” mode) and rest your back on the ball.
- Sit on top of the ball with your legs open and your back straight. Move your pelvis back and forth.
- Sit on your knees on the floor with your legs apart. Place your arms on the ball and lean on it.
- Squat down with your hands resting on the ball.
These simple acts will not only help you relax but will also make you carry yourself in a better way.the pain of childbirth facilitating the opening the pelvis and making the baby position itself.
The importance of childbirth preparation classes
Pelvic floor toning and contraction exercises will help you experience a safe birth, avoiding tears and episiotomies.
With the childbirth preparation classes you can learn exercises adapted to the three trimesters pregnancy These last moments are low-impact activities that will help your baby get into the birth canal, making it a little easier for you.
Place your feet parallel so that there is more space in the lower back, maintain the alignment of your hips with your ankles in order to avoid poor posture, or lie on your back with your feet resting on the floor and your knees bent to help separate your pelvic bones. These are just some examples of exercises that we would love to teach you with our classes and that can help you know how to stimulate labor.
With our multidisciplinary team we want to accompany you, we want to support you, we want to support you in the broadest sense of the word. You can make all your questions to our physiotherapist, our midwife and our psychologist. They will answer you and help you as soon as possible. Always enjoy your pregnancy under professional supervision and personal, direct and close communication.
