Speed Up Labor

When it comes to giving birth, it's usually best to let mother nature run her course, unless of course there is a medical necessity to induce labor. But if this is your first pregnancy, you can expect a long labor (lasting anywhere from hours to days) and should know some things you can do to help naturally speed up the process and make it more comfortable. Read this article to learn how.

Steps

During Your Pregnancy

1. Spend plenty of time on your feet. Standing upright can help your baby get in the ideal birthing position (the anterior position) so that labor will be quicker and easier. Constantly sitting at a desk or lying down during pregnancy alters the position of your pelvis, which can increase the likelihood that your baby ends up in the posterior position with the back of its head pressed up against your spine.
   • This can cause lower back pain during labor and potentially delay giving birth as you wait your baby to make a 180 degree turn at your pelvis.
2. Try acupuncture. One study conducted at the University of North Carolina found that pregnant women who got acupuncture at 40 weeks were more likely to go into labor naturally than those who didn't. As you near your due date, consider getting acupuncture to help naturally induce labor.

During Labor

1. Drink enough water. Being dehydrated can cause "false contractions," or contractions that occur before labor has even begun. Staying properly hydrated once labor has started is also important to maintain your strength and stamina.
2. Stimulate your nipples. This releases the hormone oxytocin which can help prompt contractions. You can either have your partner do this for you or use a breast pump.
3. Have sex. If your water has not broken yet, having sex can help naturally induce labor. When the man ejaculates inside the vagina, the prostaglandins contained in his sperm help stimulate the cervix.
   • Make sure that the man ejaculates inside the vagina so that the prostaglandins can do their job.
4. Take a short walk. Many people believe that light physical activity, like walking or cleaning around the house, can help speed up the labor process. Only do as much physical activity as you feel safe and comfortable doing.
5. Relax. Being stressed can cause you to tighten your muscles which is the opposite of what you want to happen during labor. Have your partner give you a massage or try breathing exercises to help relax. You may also find that a warm bath helps you relax and ease some of the discomfort caused by your contractions.
6. Have more than one child. Most women experience significantly longer labors for their first born than with their next kids because the cervix and vaginal walls have not yet been stretched or dilated. Your subsequent labors will likely be much shorter and less painful

When to Induce Labor

1. Know when to medically induce labor. There are a few circumstances that might prompt your healthcare provider to suggest medically inducing labor. They include, among other things:
   • You are two weeks past your due date.
   • Your uterus is infected.
   • You are not having contractions even after your water has broken.
   • You have a preexisting health condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes, that might put your baby at risk.
   • Your placenta is deteriorating.
   • Your baby has stopped growing unexpectedly.
   • There's not enough fluid within the amniotic sac protecting your baby.

Tips

• Being in good physical shape can make labor easier by improving your endurance and strengthening your muscles, which can reduce some of the pain you might experience.
• The following activities can help naturally alleviate some of the pain you feel during labor: walking, taking a bath or shower, sitting on a birthing ball, listening to soothing music, trying out various positions (like getting on all fours), receiving a massage/back rub, warm/cold compresses, meditation, and prayer.
• Every woman's labor is unique, even between pregnancies. There is no way to predict how long your labor will last or what the pain will be like. You can, however, expect that your first labor will be the longest.
• During your first pregnancy, it may be difficult to identify when exactly labor has begun. Before heading to the hospital (if that is part of your birthing plan), call your doctor to discuss your symptoms. It is common for first time moms to be sent home from the hospital if they are still in early labor.
• Learn how to differentiate between false contractions and actual ones. False contractions, or Braxton Hicks contractions, occur before your water has broken, and exhibit the following qualities: they do not get closer to each other, they do not increase in duration, and do not feel stronger over time the way your real contractions will. Many women start to experience these in their third trimester, and it is believed that they your body's way of preparing for the real thing.
• It's important to consider beforehand how you want to deal with the pain of delivery. Some women prefer to be given anesthesia or analgesics to cope with pain, while others choose to give birth without any pain medications. Keep in mind that many women who initially decide to go the natural route end up changing their minds once there are in labor and the pain intensifies.

Warnings

• Though you may be getting impatient, most doctors recommend saving your strength and being patient rather than wasting your energy trying to speed up labor.
• If you are two weeks past your due date, your doctor will likely suggest medically inducing labor.
• Anesthesia may make it more difficult for you to push your baby out, especially if you have lost sensation in the necessary muscles. If you are unable to push, your doctor may need to step in with an assisted delivery.
• Talk to your doctor before taking any new medications, herbs, or vitamins during your pregnancy to ensure their safety.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Become a Doula in Wisconsin
• Write a Birth Plan
• Treat Postpartum Pain
• Recognize Contractions
• Deliver a Baby
• Have a Baby Boy
• Check a Cervix for Dilation
• Give Birth at Home
• Prepare Yourself for Labor and Delivery
• Do Nipple Stimulation to Induce Labor

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