Home remedies that promote labor

The first contractions occur during pregnancy and are expressed as a kind of abdominal pain that comes and goes in waves. Shortly before birth, contractions occur with high intensity and frequency and initiate the birth. The pain is then very strong and the expectant mothers know that the birth is imminent. In some cases, however, contractions are very late, which means that labor induction is delayed. One then speaks of a transference. In addition, some women may have contractions in which the contractions are not strong and frequent enough that they are not sufficient to induce labor. This can be for various reasons, such as a caesarean section in the past. Therefore, many women during pregnancy ask themselves whether they can actively contribute to the development of labor. The question of home remedies that promote labor is always the focus of interest, since many pregnant women want natural labor support.

Find out more about the topic: Induce labor

These home remedies can encourage labor

Birth naturally takes place at the end of the 40th week of pregnancy. Births that take place earlier are called premature births. If you want to resort to home remedies that promote labor, this is by no means recommended before the end of the pregnancy. If the cervix is ​​still immature, this can lead to complications. In any case, you should always consult the attending gynecologist and the attending midwife in order to ensure a complication-free delivery process. Since some home remedies can be very effective in inducing labor, they should never be used at home, but only under the supervision of medical staff.

This includes above all the labor cocktail, which contains castor oil as an active ingredient. The effectiveness is mainly based on the laxative effect of the castor oil. Therefore, other laxatives should not be used in the home environment to induce labor. Other home remedies that work for labor include warm baths, acupuncture, massages, and herbal teas. However, these measures should only be used after consulting the maternity hospital in charge. Light movement also promotes labor and is recommended a few days before the expected due date. This includes walks and relaxed walking. Sport and excessive stair climbing, on the other hand, should be avoided before giving birth - contrary to what is often recommended in various Internet forums.

Also read the article on the topic: Medication to promote labor

Teas to promote labor

Teas that promote labor are very popular with pregnant women in the last week of pregnancy. They represent a natural method of preparation for the birth and help to adjust mentally and physically to the birth. Most contraceptive tea recipes contain cinnamon, cloves, ginger or raspberry. The ingredients can be combined as desired and boiled into tea with hot water. The tea can then be drunk in small sips throughout the day, provided it tastes good and is well tolerated. It is not entirely clear whether the tea really promotes labor, but the calming effect of the tea in particular seems to contribute to it. In particular, a reduction in stress and a positive mental attitude towards childbirth promote labor, as the hormone that promotes labor - oxytocin - is released more.

For more information read: Use tea to stimulate labor.

cinnamon

In some clinics, if there is no contraindication, a labor cocktail is used to induce labor if the onset of labor is delayed. This often also contains cinnamon. Not only does cinnamon taste good and mask the unpleasant taste of castor oil, it also seems to promote labor. However, this only applies to imminent or light contractions. However, cinnamon cannot induce labor. For the cinnamon to be effective, the cervix must already be ripe for birth. You should therefore not try to induce childbirth with cinnamon. However, there is nothing to be said against drinking teas containing cinnamon at the end of pregnancy, as these have a calming effect, apart from their slightly inducing labor-inducing effect. The more calmly and patiently you approach the birth, the more often a good birth process is possible. Stress and fear, on the other hand, inhibit labor.

These foods promote labor

There are some foods that are said to have labor-inducing effects. However, it is often difficult to really prove this effect. In particular, ginger, cinnamon, raspberry leaves and cloves seem to have a labor-inducing effect. Usually they are used to make a tea or brew, which is then drunk in sips over the day in the last few days before the expected due date. However, it has not been proven whether this actually promotes labor. On the other hand, castor oil seems to have a strong labor-inducing effect. On the one hand, the laxative effect is responsible for this, on the other hand, it also has direct effects on the cervix. However, castor oil should not be used as a home remedy to encourage labor. The risk of complications is too high. These include, for example, severe labor when the cervix is ​​still immature or the child is in an impossible position to give birth.

Find out more about the topic: The different types of labor

Homeopathic remedies

You should be careful with homeopathic remedies and herbal ingredients, especially during pregnancy. In everyday life, of course, there is nothing to prevent the use of supportive homeopathic treatment, but this is different in pregnancy. Only herbs that have been proven to be safe for the unborn child should be used during pregnancy. For example, many homeopathic remedies contain allergens or alcohol that can be dangerous during pregnancy. However, if you absolutely want to take advantage of homeopathic labor support, this must be discussed with the supervising midwife and the supervising specialist in gynecology and obstetrics.

You might also be interested in this topic: Homeopathy for pregnancy and childbirth

acupuncture

In obstetrics, it is possible to use acupuncture treatment to prepare for birth. This can have various positive effects on the upcoming birth. On the one hand, it can relieve anxiety and stress and, on the other hand, it can also promote labor. The stress and anxiety-relieving effect should not be underestimated. Stress prevents the labor-inducing hormone oxytocin from being released, which can directly inhibit labor. However, the current study situation is uncertain whether acupuncture can really help to delay the duration of labor and promote labor. Positive effects can be proven in some studies, but not in others. A harmful effect does not seem to be feared, as long as acupuncture is carried out by specialists.

Also read the article on the topic: Acupuncture and childbirth preparation

Warm baths

Warm baths can increase blood flow and promote labor. However, during pregnancy you should consult your midwife and gynecologist beforehand, as hot baths are not always recommended. Especially at the end of pregnancy, hot baths can also be bad for the circulation and thus limit the well-being of the pregnant woman. Very hot temperatures over 34 degrees Celsius should be avoided at all costs, as the widening of the blood vessels can cause blood pressure to drop. Furthermore, dizziness can occur, which increases the risk of accidents when getting out of the bathtub. Bathing for too long should also be avoided for the reasons mentioned. However, there is nothing wrong with taking warm baths of about 10-15 minutes to relax and encourage contractions towards the end of the pregnancy.

castor oil

In connection with the topic of "home remedies that promote labor" one hears again and again of castor oil, which has proven itself especially in the so-called labor cocktail. Castor oil has a strong laxative effect and also seems to stimulate special binding sites on the cervix - so-called receptors. This can make castor oil worse or even trigger it. However, one should definitely refrain from using castor oil as a home remedy. Castor oil is commonly used as part of the contractions cocktail under obstetric supervision in maternity hospitals. In some cases, when the cervix is ​​mature, natural induction of labor can be achieved in this way. If the cervix is ​​immature or the child is in a position that is impossible for a natural birth - for example, a transverse position - castor oil can cause serious complications.

Find out more about the topic: initiate birth

ginger

Ginger is also often recommended as a home remedy to promote labor. In some recipes, grated or pressed ginger is a popular ingredient in labor cocktails. The intense taste of the ginger superimposes the rather unpleasant taste of the castor oil and makes it easier for pregnant women to drink the labor cocktail. However, ginger can also be taken in teas to promote labor. The labor-inducing effect is quite weak, so no complications are to be expected when drinking the tea. Drinking ginger tea shortly before giving birth can also have a very relaxing and calming effect, making it easier to prepare for the upcoming birth.