UCTIONS?

DIY IND
exploring alternatives to medication inductions

acupuncture,
Why alternatives? castor oil acupressure, massage,
In some Castor oil has been used for chiropractic care, or other
pregnancies, centuries by women and bodywork
starting labor with midwives trying to start the Various forms of bodywork
medication is birth process. Modern can help ensure that your
recommendedfor researchsuggests that it
a medical need. body is in the best state for
may be helpful for this birth, there is not much
But other times purpose, but there are
when your baby evidence to show that these
some concerns about how methods can actually help
does not need to drinking it could impact
be born so quickly, start your labor. Don't
your baby. Expect to have completely discount these
attempting to nausea and some intestinal
jump-start labor in methods, though, as they
upset with this route. may help make labor
non-medical ways
can possibly help shorter and/or easier.
red raspberry leaf tea
you avoid Although drinking this tea
unnecessary sexual intercourse
throughout the last weeks Semen has a large amount
interventions. of pregnancy may help of prostaglandin, a
make labor contractions hormone that softens and
Remember that stronger and possibly more
attempts at ripens your cervix to get it
effective, it does not seem ready for labor. Stimulating
starting labor are
to help labor start. the uterus and/or reaching
not always
successful if your orgasm may help even
baby and your membrane sweeping more. There are few known
body are not ready Separating your bag of negative side effects with
for birth. water from your cervix can consensual intercourse.
be effective at reducing
What does your need for other nipple stimulation
research say about medications, but can also Stimulating your nipples
some common cause discomfort, bleeding, (either with a breast pump
alternative and cramping. or by hand) can help
induction release the oxytocin that
methods? Which eating certain foods causes contractions. It has
might help you? There is no evidence to been shown to be as
suggest that eating anything effective as certain
specific helps to start labor. medicines in starting labor,
But fueling your body is is very low-risk, and gives
Elizabeth Mendoza, LCCE important in labor you control over the
wisdomwithinbirth.com
nonetheless! process.
(520)891-5417
 REFERENCES
Boulvain, M., Stan, C.M., & Irion, O. (2005). Membrane sweeping for
induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2005(1). doi:
10.1002/14651858.CD000451.pub2

Garry, D., Figueroa, R., Guillaume, J., & Cucco, V. (2000). Alternative
therapies in health and medicine. Aliso Viejo,6(1).77-9.

Kavanagh, J., Kelly, A.J., Thomas, J. (2005). Breast stimulation for cervical
ripening and induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,
2005(3). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003392.pub2

Kavanagh, J., Kelly, A.J., Thomas, J. Sexual intercourse for cervical ripening
and induction of labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2001(2).
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003093

Smith C.A., Crowther, C.A., & Grant, S.J. Acupuncture for induction of
labour. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(8). doi:
10.1002/14651858.CD002962.pub3