Do THIS to Start Labor Naturally NOW!
Childbirth is a rite of passage and an essential part of the human experience… but it can often be confusing, scary, and sometimes, a little stressful. We all want to induce labor naturally, but most of us don't know how to go about it!
Sit back and relax because today's episode is a guide to inducing childbirth without medical intervention. With a bit of consideration, you can increase the chance of natural childbirth and experience a healthy, happy pregnancy!
Today, I share the different herbs, oils, techniques, exercises, and procedures that you can practice to start your labor naturally, now. These include some more known medicinal oils and herbs like evening primrose oil, raspberry leaf tea, midwife's brew tea, and the lesser known black cohosh. We'll also learn about some techniques like the Webster's chiropractic technique and the miles circuit method. We'll dig into both the positives and negatives of each, so you can rest assured that you choose the best option for yourself!
Listen to the episode now!
Show Notes:
1:12 - Our reviewer of the week shares that after finding this podcast in her second trimester and learning so much about birth and pregnancy, she felt super confident on her big day.
3:59 - Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is taken vaginally or orally. Dosage: 500-2000 mg, Time: 38+ weeks. Studies show mixed results of its usage but the idea around it is that it softens the cervix.
6:58 - Evening Primrose oil is also known to induce labor. Inducing labor isn't only about water-breaking; it is also about having your cervix ready for childbirth.
8:28 - You can use the red raspberry leaf tea alongside the Evening Primrose Oil to help tighten and tone the uterus, making it active to help induce labor.
10:40 - The red raspberry leaf tea tastes like mild black tea but is herbal and non-caffeinated. (Use it only after 36+ weeks of pregnancy.) Sensitivities vary so if you're experiencing uterine irritation or other side effects, drink less or stop drinking it completely until you're closer to your due date.
12:27 - Black cohosh is a pretty controversial uterine tonic known to have benefits similar to red raspberry leaf tea. It associates with your hormones and is a much stronger herb than the two red raspberry leaf tea of evening primrose oil. The side effects are also greater and include nausea, vomiting and precipitous labor.
14:37 - The miles circuit is effective when trying to augment labor. It helps your baby get out of a stuck position and move to a better position.
19:30 - 3 exercises you can practice to induce labor: forward-leaning inversion, pelvic tilts, and squats.
20:49 - Squatting helps shorten your birth canal by about 40%.
21:21 - Nipple stimulation is an effective way to induce labor by causing your body to release oxytocin and ultimately cause contractions.
22:08 - Intercourse also helps induce labor by releasing prostaglandins that help soften the cervix and helping mom start getting contractions.
23:19 - The midwife's brew consists of ten ounces of apricot juice, eight ounces of pure lemon verbena tea, two tablespoons of castor oil, and two tablespoons of almond butter – it tastes gross and can sometimes cause stomach pain and diarrhea, but is known to help induce labor.
24:16 - Clary sage is an essential oil used to increase contractions and can be used in conjunction with the acupressure point, Spleen 6.
26:28 - Membrane sweeps help induce labor but can cause bacterial infections. Care must be taken when using the method.
27:41 - Webster's technique helps ensure balance in the pelvis. Sometimes the pelvis will be tilted, oblong and might not have enough space for the baby. This technique allows both mom and baby to work well together to get the baby into a good position.
29:00 - The best circuit to get augment labor once your body is ready to get things going.
Resources:
My Essential Birth
