How to Bring on Contractions
As the end of pregnancy approaches, pregnant women watch with great anticipation for signs of labor starting. By this point, your back hurts, you can't sleep well at night and you are ready to finally hold your baby in your arms. Unfortunately, if your body isn't ready to go into labor on its own, attempts to induce labor can be fraught with difficulties -- even for your doctor. While people suggest a variety of methods for bringing on labor contractions, evidence for the effectiveness of only a few actually exists.
Things You'll Need
- Prostaglandins
- Mechanical dilation device
- Misoprostol
- Pitocin
Instructions
Stimulate your nipples by sucking, rubbing or rolling them. To ensure you don't overstimulate your uterus, manipulate your breasts for five minutes and then wait 15, to see what effects it has. Only stimulate one breast at a time and avoid nipple stimulation during contractions. Stop when your contractions occur every three minutes or last for a minute or more. The effectiveness of nipple stimulation hasn't been conclusively proven by scientific study, but a 2011 study in "ACTA Obstetrica et Gynecologica Scandinavica" found that breast stimulation was both effective and safe for women who have undergone previous cesarean sections and given birth five or more times. Apply prostaglandins -- substances that can help a cervix dilate, thin and soften -- to your vagina. Prostaglandins such as Cervidil and Prepidil do increase your chances of going into labor within 24 hours, reports a 2003 review of labor induction techniques in "American Family Physician." However, they may also overstimulate the uterus and cause other negative side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Sweep your membranes. In this procedure, your doctor or midwife inserts a finger into your cervix during a cervical check and detaches the amniotic sac from your cervix. A membrane sweep can help bring on contractions, but according to a 2000 study in "Obstetrics and Gynecology", it is only effective in first time mothers who had unfavorable cervices ripened with a prostaglandin. Insert a mechanical device, such as Foley catheter, into your cervix to release prostaglandins and help your cervix dilate. Mechanical dilators do successfully help the cervix open, but they carry risks of bleeding, infection and membrane rupture. Only your health care provider should attempt to dilate your cervix with a mechanical device. Use misoprostol to help ripen your cervix. The review of labor induction methods in "American Family Physician" found that misoprostol increases the rate of vaginal births within 24 hours. It does carry the risk of overstimulating your uterus and may cause uterine rupture in women who had a prior cesarean section. Start an IV pump of pitocin, an artificial form of oxytocin used to start or strengthen contractions. According to the "American Family Physician" review, physicians prefer using pitocin to induce labor when a woman has a favorable cervix, and many studies support its effectiveness in encouraging contractions. However, pitocin does cause longer and more painful contractions, may reduce oxygen to your baby and increases the cesarean rates due to difficult labor oa fetal distress.
