I’m Ready to Have this Baby!

by | Jun 2, 2023 | childbirth, labor, preparing for birth

labor ready birth class online

Is your due date approaching for baby? Are you scheduled for a medical induction that you are not interested in participating in? Or are you just plain exhausted from pregnancy! We get it! Pregnancy is so hard sometimes. Here is a list of a few suggestions we have for our clients that help to kick start labor.

online birth class

So, let’s be clear, none of these suggestions will kick you into labor within minutes, or will start your labor at 26 weeks. They are all gentle enough to just give your body some extra nudges to let it know the time has come for baby to come out. Many of these can and should actually be done starting earlier in pregnancy. Classes can be helpful is sharing accurate information and doulas can help you navigate which strategies are best for you and offer referrals for care providers near you. There are many other strategies you may have heard about: from having sex, to taking castor oil, to eating lemon cupcakes. Check with a  doula about which ones are silly myths and which may actually help! 

online birth class Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors who specialize in pregnancy (Webster Technique) can help with optimal fetal positioning. Their gentle adjustments to mom help the pelvis to be symmetrical. This, in turn, helps the uterus to be more symmetrical. When the body is aligned it can help the baby to fit in the pelvis better. Then the baby will engage in time to help stimulate cervical ripening. *Bonus: Chiropractic care can ease common pregnancy pains. Research also found that women who receive chiropractic care during pregnancy have approximately 6 fewer hours of labor than women who did not receive care. Chiropractic care is beneficial all through out pregnancy. It should be started before you hit that 40 week due date.

online birth class Spinning Babies

Midwife Gail Tully developed Spinning Babies. She believes that self-care and specific body work restores the balance and makes room for the baby. Then baby can put themselves into the best position possible for childbirth. Their website has a plethora of information about stages of pregnancy and labor and what positions and stretches are good for each stage.

online birth class Acupuncture

The Journal of Maternity Fetal and Neonatal Medicine published a study in Aug 2006. The study was conducted to evaluate the utility of outpatient acupuncture for pregnancy and labor induction treatments. The results were very encouraging. Compared to controls, women in the acupuncture group tend to be 70% more likely to labor spontaneously and 39% less likely to deliver by cesarean section. In the cases where labor does not start spontaneously, acupuncture can encourage the early changes that precede labor. As a result, a woman’s Bishop score can increase so, she is a better candidate for medical induction.

Nipple Stimulation

Manipulating the nipples triggers the release of a hormone called oxytocin. This hormone has several effects in the body. Oxytocin produces uterine contractions throughout labor and delivery. Nipple stimulation can set off the initial contractions and keeping them going. Pitocin is the synthetic form of oxytocin that is used for medical inductions.  So, why not try the real thing first. Check out these YouTube videos here and here.

online birth class Eating Your Dates

We talked about this on our sister site Chicago Family Doulas. Click on the link here to read more. We shared plenty of delicious recipes! Eating six dates a day during last trimester of pregnancy can make a difference and encourage labor.
online birth class

Be Patient & Stay Positive

I know this is so hard, but you will eventually go into labor. Keeping a positive mindset will help so much!
Forgot Password
Please enter your email address or username below.
 
Please Login
 
 
Online Childbirth classes

Join our email list and receive a free pregnancy week-by-week guide which includes what you can expect in every trimester!

You have successfully subscribed!