Some suggested
Alternative (Non-Pharmaceutical)
Induction/Augmentation Ideas:
Most people agree that induction of
labour doesn't always work, but once labour has started,
these methods do work well.
Things often tried:
- Evening Primrose Oil capsules; 2-3
capsules high in the vagina, repeat 2-3x 24hr
intervals
Evening Primrose Oil acts as a
prostaglandin, which ripens or softens the cervix. It's also
useful for softening scar tissue from abortions or IUD
damage. This will soften/ripen the cervical tissues and
increase the flexibility of the pelvic ligaments. This will
help the baby to deeply engage in the pelvis. This early
application of the baby's head will assist with dilation and
should result in a relatively easy birth, even after
multiple C-sections for "stalled" labor.
Evening Primrose Oil may be helpful for
women with borderline pelvises as well. The utilization of
Evening Primrose Oil seems to enhance the complex set of
biochemical messages that initiate labor.
You can take evening primrose oil,
orally, in the last four weeks of your pregnancy. You should
take three evening primrose oil capsules daily for the first
week (36th week of gestation) and then one to two capsules a
day for the last three weeks of pregnancy.
- Blue cohosh (may cause
irritability in uterus, non-labour contractions; better
to use to enhance labour rather than induce. Try making
your own tincture. Less "violent" than castor oil.) Blue
and Black Cohosh Tinctures, 5-10 drops each, in cup of
water or tea, 1-2 times everyday, after 37 weeks.
- Castor oil (same as above,
also ends constipation/induces runs, but can be very
effective with stripping) &endash; serve in OJ, root beer
float or other drink; 1-4 Tbsp in drink (in 2 doses)
The problem I've heard of with castor oil
(besides making you miserable and not always working) is
that it can cause the baby to pass meconium in the uterus
because the castor oil causes a relaxation of
sphincters.
*Gingerbeer shake &endash; Put 2
oz. Castor oil in 4oz. Of ginger beer, place your hand over
top of the glass tightly, shake it up, and immediately chug
it down (remember doing "slammers" in our young and foolish
days in college???). If no labour within 4 hours, may repeat
x1.
The Gingerbeer "fizz" suspends the oil, so when you chug it
down you don't notice the "gloppy" taste of the
oil.
- Sex, nipple stimulation with
breast pump or manually Don't get up straight after sex,
lie there and relax, maybe raise hips to help bathe the
cervix in semen.
- Tincture of Motherwort 5 - 10
drops
- Enemas &endash; Gentler than
Castor Oil, but should have the same effect of
stimulating the intestines, and therby the uterus. Also
good for rehydration and considered less invasive than an
IV drip, but as effective.
- Membrane stripping: The
attendant separates the bag of waters from the cervix by
running her finger around the internal space between the
cervix and the membranes. You do a "good one" if you're
going to do one at all. Must be good indications and mom
must have been given informed consent. Never do it
preterm, with a feverish mom, or if any suspicion of low
lying placenta or previa....
- Cervical massage: 2 o'clock
spot on cervix, rub for as long as 30 min. slowly and
gently
- Caulophyllum 200 - 1 tab 1/4
hourly for 1 hour then 1 tab hourly for another 4 hours.
- Acupuncture
- Acupressure Points: Pressure
on the space between the thumb and forefinger, 4 finger
widths above the inner ankle bone.
*If considering any of these
labour stimulating remedies, begin early in the day after a
good nights sleep and a light breakfast.
**Please check with your care provider
before initiating any of these remedies to be sure they are
appropriate for you. I have found independent homebirth
midwives to be very supportive of alternative therapies to
augment labour, and they will inform you of the wiseness of
inducing your labour with one of these
techniques.
Reference:
http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/natinduc.html#Ripening
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