Arriving at your Estimated Due Date (EDD)
As you approach your EDD it is normal to have expectations that your baby will be born close to that date, however, a very low percentage of them actually are!
You may already have had a conversation with your midwife or doctor about the possibility of induction of your labour. Sometimes there are definite medical reasons this might be necessary but generally speaking, the rate of inductions is still much higher in most countries than the World Health Organizations’ recommended 10 – 15%. (You might want to check at your place of birth what their statistics are)
Ideally, these decisions are made on an individual basis rather than on routine policies. As with all possible interventions it is important to make an informed choice.
Induction is aimed at reducing the risk of stillbirth. To bring this in perspective you may like to check out Evidence-Based Birth
‘At 41 weeks, out of 10,000 pregnant people, about 6 will have a stillbirth. This means 9,994 won’t have a stillbirth.
In comparison, at 42 weeks, out of 10,000 pregnant, about 10 will have a stillbirth. This means 9,990 won’t have a stillbirth.
For more information on your babies movements and reducing the risks of stillbirth please refer to Still Aware
Certainly, it is not an easy decision to make and one which needs to be based on both information and connecting to your own sense of what feels right for you and your baby. It is important to examine whether your agreement to induction is influenced by a sense of “wanting to get the pregnancy over with” or the excitement of wanting to meet your baby as soon as possible. Make sure you have a definite medical reason to have an induction as it is likely to influence your ability to manage labour, increase the chances of having an epidural and a caesarean.
Natural Ways to encourage labour to begin
These are the most common ways that women look at encouraging labour to begin. It is worth considering that this is still “influencing/interfering” with the process! Since it is considered that your baby initiates labour when he or she is ready then waiting for that sign and early signs of labour (“a show” – mucous plug releasing, mild contractions, achy back, feeling spaced out or “nesting”) may be a wise move. However, if a medical induction is imminent then it may be prudent to consider helping your body to move along. Check with your midwife or doctor before trying them out.
Some suggestions you can do yourself or with a partner:
- Nipple stimulation – manually or with a breast pump. This helps to release the birth hormone oxytocin and may help labour to begin. It can also be done in labour if it has slowed down. Studies have shown this to be effective. However, be careful of over-stimulation which can hyper stimulate the uterus. Talk it over with your midwife first
- Sex – will also release oxytocin, especially if you have an orgasm. Semen contains prostaglandins which help to soften your cervix. Avoid if your waters have broken because of the risk of infection
- Take a long walk – careful not to tire yourself out though in case labour begins soon after!
- Visualisation and relaxation. Worrying about going “overdue” will not help your natural birth hormones to flow. Listen to one of the relaxations, especially the visualization of a flower opening and see your cervix soft and ready. You may prefer just to imagine a circle getting bigger inside you.
- Use the optimal foetal positions to help your baby be in a favourable position. Babies in a posterior position do not stimulate the cervix in the same way and may be a factor in going overdue
- Castor Oil – this used to be taken orally and is very occasionally still suggested. It is a powerful laxative that stimulates the bowel and therefore may initiate labour. (Hot curries are sometimes suggested for this same reason!) Studies have shown that it may significantly increase the chances of labour starting, however, there are too few studies to establish safety. Talk to your midwife about its suitability
- Evening Primrose Oil has not been shown to significantly influence a woman going into labour. Similarly, Red Raspberry Tea is popular but without significant evidence
- Fresh pineapple contains Bromelain, an enzyme that helps with cervical ripening however again there is no clear evidence that it works but since it’s good for you anyway – go ahead and include it in your diet!
- Acupuncture – seek out a qualified, experienced acupuncturist who works regularly with pregnant women. Regardless of whether you use acupuncture to help labour begin or simply for the overall benefits it is well worth considering having some regular treatments. The acupuncturist may show you common induction points to use at home
- Massage, Bowen Therapy and reflexology – these treatments will bring you into your “relaxation zone” of the parasympathetic nervous system – a wonderful way to be for whenever labour begins. It may well help you to de-stress and therefore have a positive effect on your body. Reflexology works on specific points on the feet which correspond to different areas of the body and is a wonderful treatment to have regularly anyway. (Foot massage is excellent during labour and a small study showed it helped some women to have shorter labours by around 2 hours!)
- Aromatherapy massage – some oils such as Clary Sage are used during labour to help labour progress. Consult with an experienced practitioner as there are many beneficial oils to use both during pregnancy, labour and postnatally
- Osteopathy or Chiropractic treatments – these are beneficial for all women as the practitioners will be able to check for any imbalances in your pelvis or spine and gently correct them. Relaxation of the fascia, ligaments and muscles may help your baby to have more room to position well and for labour to begin
- Homoeopathy – this treatment is popular in Europe and generally considered gentle, safe and effective. You will need to consult with an experienced practitioner for advice and remedies
- Herbal remedies – consult with a Naturopath or Herbalist experienced in pregnancy