How to cause contractions at home and when can this be done?
The last weeks and days of pregnancy are quite exhausting. The woman is visibly tired and is already dreaming that the birth began as soon as possible. It is in these last days that questions arise about how to accelerate childbirth. Demand creates supply, and therefore the all-knowing Internet is always ready to offer a pregnant woman several ways to cause contractions. In this article we will tell about how to do it, and when it is not forbidden to do it.
When do contractions begin?
Contractions are the culmination of a long preparatory period, which takes place in the body of a woman in the last days before childbirth. By itself, the uterus cannot contract. In order for contractions to begin and cervical dilatation begins, myocytes (cells of the uterine tissue) must accumulate a sufficiently large amount of a special protein, actomyosin, which gives cells the ability to contract.
The contractions themselves trigger the hormone oxytocin, which begins to be actively produced in the late stages of pregnancy by the placenta and pituitary gland. And the level of progesterone, which was responsible for the prolongation of gestation, the preservation of pregnancy, should fall to critically low values. The cervix must mature, and the special enzymes that the cervix secretes must thin the fetal membranes so that at the right moment they burst and the amniotic fluid can flow.
Only with the coincidence of all these conditions begins full-time timely labor activity. During contractions, the cervix gradually opens until the opening is maximized and reaches 10-12 centimeters. Then the baby can begin to be born with the full understanding of the word.
There are no uniform deadlines for the completion of all this multi-component training. Each individual woman, taking into account her personal characteristics, the body can prepare for childbirth in due time. The estimated date of delivery, which is listed in the exchange card - no more than an approximate guide. That is why childbirth, which began in the period from 38 to 42 weeks, is considered normal.
Do I need to call?
At 39-40 and 40-41 week there should be no reason for concern for a woman. If at this stage a pregnant woman turns to a doctor with a request to stimulate labor with medicines, they will not understand her and will not fulfill the request. For generic activity to be complete, all stages of internal preparation for them must be completed naturally. Stimulation with medications in a maternity hospital takes place only during a post-term pregnancy, after 42 weeks of pregnancy.
From the same position, doctors consider it inexpedient and try to speed up the process of the onset of labor at home. The fact that the future mother was very tired of carrying her precious child, that it is harder for her to walk, sit, sleep, is understandable and causes sympathy. But to give birth in time, provided by nature for a particular woman and her baby - the most optimal solution to the problem.
As you know, the ability to wait is one of the most difficult, and therefore the impatience of women and attempts to actively provoke childbirth can also be understood, but you can hardly approve.
Before you take anything from grandmother's advice or advice from the Internet, a woman must be sure that she has no contraindications. The child should be placed in the uterus correctly, in the head presentation.
There should be no placental abruption even at an early history. Fetal bladder should be intact, water leaks should not occur. A woman’s blood pressure should be normal, hormonal levels should be sufficient for labor activity to proceed normally. You must admit that not a single pregnant woman can say with certainty that all these conditions are fulfilled in her body.
Therefore, any home stimulation of labor is considered dangerous, risky, and further increases the likelihood of complications during childbirth.
Non-medical methods
Looking at the suffering of a tired pregnant woman, relatives usually begin to give a lot of advice that should speed up and provoke the onset of labor. These popular councils are handed down from generation to generation and have changed little over the past decades. What are they based on and does it really work? Let's try to answer this question.
“Move more, lift weights”
The advice is rather dangerous. Indeed, physical activity contributes to the preparation of the body for childbirth, but it cannot accelerate their onset, since it does not affect the hormones of a pregnant woman. Moderate physical exercises are useful primarily because the muscle tissue of a woman, ligaments, tendons are in constant good shape, which facilitates the process of childbirth. When moving, blood supply to organs and tissues improves, which is also a good preparation for the birth of a child.
Some people take the advice too literally and in the last periods begin to actively rearrange the furniture, move the cupboard or piano into the next room. It should be noted that in fact it does not accelerate childbirth, but can cause premature rupture of the amniotic fluid, placental abruption and the development of bleeding. Both of these situations will not bring birth either, although it is very likely that a woman will undergo a caesarean section for early discharge of water if contractions do not appear within 24 hours, and an emergency caesarean section is always performed for placental abruption. Staying in the womb will be deadly to the baby. Have you dreamed of such a birth?
Then you need to take advice wisely. As physical activity, yoga classes for pregnant women are suitable (if she has practiced them before), easy and uncomplicated cleaning of the house without leaning or squatting, walking along the sideways (very dosed). Remember, it only keeps you fit, but giving birth does not bring you closer.
“Swim in the hot tub, swim in the pool”
Swimming and water treatments in general are very helpful for pregnant women. Finding the body, the weight of which has increased markedly in the water, helps relieve fatigue from the legs, back, waist. Typical for late periods of pain from the water temporarily calm down, the condition improves, the mood rises.
Bathing in hot water increases blood flow to the skin, organs. How can this be dangerous for the future mother? Problems with the placenta, placental infarctions, its detachment are not excluded. A rush of blood to the genitals, if lying in a hot bath, increases the vaginal secretion, which may indirectly affect the development of infection, and this is extremely undesirable in the last days before childbirth. That is why a woman in the later stages is recommended to take a warm shower, rather than fill the bath with hot water.
Especially dangerous are water treatments and swimming in the pool after the discharge of the mucus plug. Even if the discharge has just begun to change, and the tube is moving away in parts, the risk of infection of the fetus with bacteria, viruses and fungi through the cervical canal free for passage is high. Swim and take a bath after the tube is not recommended at all.
In general, bathing in a warm shower effectively relaxes the muscles and ligaments, which, of course, has a positive effect on the preparation of the cervix for childbirth (it is also a muscle). But to quickly cause childbirth in this way will not work.
“Have more sex”
This method in the people received the name "muzheterapiya." She is very pronounced, but primarily on the future father. He will certainly like this treatment. As for the prospects to stimulate contractions, then everything is not so rosy. Sperm does contain prostaglandins. These substances, getting into the female genital tract, really contribute to relaxation and softening of the cervix. But sex, alas, does not affect the hormones and the ratio of oxytocin and progesterone in the body.
If there are no contraindications to intimate pleasures, a woman can practice this method. It gives a pleasant feeling, improves mood, promotes relaxation. The method is not suitable if:
- the mucus plug has moved away or has begun to move away;
- low placenta, according to the ultrasound;
- multiple pregnancy;
- pregnancy after IVF.
In these cases, not only sexual intercourse, but also self-satisfaction is contraindicated.
There may be individual reasons why an obstetrician-gynecologist prohibits having sex at a later date. Check with the doctor.
“Massaging your nipples”
Good advice as a light nipple massage stimulates the production of oxytocin. If the birth is delayed only because of its lack of concentration, it can really help to stimulate the onset of contractions on its own.
If the reasons are different, the massage will not have any significant effect.
"Drink Cumin Oil and Eat Raspberries"
Cinnamon oil, raspberry, and seasonal vegetables and fruits are also attributed to the products that are attributed to the stimulating properties. First of all, it is recommended to eat something that contains a lot of fiber. The advice is completely harmless and very practical. A large amount of fiber contributes to a mild natural loosening of the intestines, is the prevention of constipation. The crowded intestine puts pressure on the uterus. For the beginning of labor, it will be better if the intestines are not full.
Convincing evidence of the effect of products on labor before delivery, of course, does not exist. But proper nutrition with vegetables and fruits just does not hurt.
"Take a laxative"
In order to start contractions, folk "wise men" recommend to do enemas and take castor oil or other laxatives. This is not necessary because emptying of the intestines does not affect the contractile capacity of the uterus. Contractions of the intestine and the reproductive female organ are “controlled” by various hormones.
Cleaning the intestines is usually before childbirth occurs naturally, the body a few days before the birth begins to get rid of the "excess".
Stimulating diarrhea may be excessive and dehydration will begin. Multiple enemas lead to intestinal dysbiosis, as the beneficial flora is “washed out” from the intestines. Imbalance of intestinal flora is not the best accompaniment of childbirth and the recovery process after them.
findings
Exercises, warm water, sparing sex and other ways can be both beneficial and dangerous. If the strength to endure no more, a woman should not be ashamed of her desire to give birth faster. But be sure to talk about it with the gynecologist, who observes the pregnancy. Any attempts to stimulate childbirth on their own at home can harm the child if there are contraindications.
Attempts to stimulate childbirth on their own at home with medication are especially dangerous. There are future mothers who inject themselves with oxytocin in the buttock, use vaginal creams with hormones.This is deadly, as the labor should be stimulated with medications only in the conditions of the maternity hospital, where the dosage, route of administration, as well as the condition and changes in the state of health of the woman in labor will be carefully observed by specialists.
The best until 42 weeks will be patient waiting. After that, if the birth does not occur, doctors will help the woman. Home attempts to bring the long-awaited moment - not the best choice for a woman who wants to give birth to a full-term, healthy and strong baby.
How to cause fights, see the next video.