Induction Techniques List

[BrooklynDoula]

When clients get to their due date and start to worry about the cascade of interventions that might meet them at 41 weeks, I often suggest the various things that might be done to bring on labor if they are interested. Today I was thinking it would be nice to make a list (for myself) that includes things from the the very safe and gentle (walk, eat pinapple, etc) to more intense induction methods (herbs, castor oil). So anyone want to share the techniques they use most often or find most effective? I can then edit the first post with all the techniques.

I'll start:


RRL Tea
visualizations
pinapple
cumin tea
spicy food
egplant
journaling
good cry (sad movie?)
walk
bumpy car ride
bounce on yoga ball
other physical activity
evening primrose oil
sex
orgasm (doesn't have to be intercourse)
skin to skin contact
prenatal massage
chiropractic treatment
a ton of stairs
nipple stimulation
enema
Reflexology (by a qualified reflexologist)
Bowen Technique
acupressure
acupuncture
herbs - blue/black cohosh
homeopathy - caulopyllum and cimicifuga
castor oil

[birthangeldoula]

My recommendations include walking, nipple stimulation, sex, spicy foods, red raspberry tea, acupressure.

[Charmie981]

I have a handout I give my clients at 41.5 weeks (our state has a 42 week referral rule). I'll see if I can dig it up later...

[SalmonBayDoula]

A few more

your list is pretty comprehensive but I will add a few more:

orgasm (doesn't have to be intercourse)
skin to skin contact
prenatal massage
chiropractic treatment
a ton of stairs

Regards,
Sharon

[BrooklynDoula]

Thanks for the additions. Can you tell me more about the chiropractic treatment? I have never heard of this method of induction and I am curious. Thanks.

[notjustmamie]

Would it be possible to divide the list into categories or levels of invasiveness/intensity?

(not a b.p. so if this is something you all know, just ignore me)

[beaches1098]

For those that do not feel comfortable using herbs I use the homeopathic versions of the blue/black cohosh- homeopathic caulopyllum and cimicifuga.

[BrooklynDoula]

I added those, great additions!

[SalmonBayDoula]

More on the chiro treatment

I think this is along the lines of opening the pelvis (so baby can drop and settle into the pelvis,) and getting things going.

Sometimes I think baby's wonky position prevents labor from getting going, and if baby can get in a better position, then maybe away we go.

I am thinking of the Webster's Technique,which can also help turn a breech baby...this also can help get the pelvis more ready for labor to begn....

let me ask a friend's husband who works with a lot of pregnant women, for some links to supporting research.

Sharon

[coobabysmom]

Your list is very comprehensive. I also suggest journaling and a good cry (perhaps a really sad movie).

[Sage.Naissance]

Avoiding their doctor and waiting until their baby is ripe?.....

[BrooklynDoula]

Originally Posted by Sage.Naissance

Avoiding their doctor and waiting until their baby is ripe?.....

Of course! This is my favorite advise (Can you switch the appointment until Monday?)!

[barefootamy]

Reflexology (by a qualified reflexologist)
Bowen Technique

Both are incredibly safe and very natural ways of encouraging labor to start, or helping a slow start get into a good rhythm.

[shellbell]

Please tell me about crying. Why might that induce labor?


Shelly

[MonkeyPrincess]

I think crying is dealing more with the emotional side of things, like a release.

[SalmonBayDoula]

What is the Bowen Technique??

Originally Posted by barefootamy

Reflexology (by a qualified reflexologist)
Bowen Technique

Both are incredibly safe and very natural ways of encouraging labor to start, or helping a slow start get into a good rhythm.

This one was unfamiliar to me???

[coobabysmom]

Originally Posted by shellbell

Please tell me about crying. Why might that induce labor?


Shelly

MonkeyPrincess wrote: I think crying is dealing more with the emotional side of things, like a release.

A good cry to release any tension, fears or frustrations that the mom may be holding. Tension works against labor.

[BrooklynDoula]

I looked up the Bowen Technique and found this:

http://www.boweninfo.com/

[barefootamy]

Originally Posted by salmonbay

This one was unfamiliar to me???

Definition of Reflexology
Definition of Bowen Therapy
Both are recommended by Gowri Motha in her book the Gentle Birth Method for natural inductions. In my own practice, as a reflexologist, I see clients to prime for labor, especially when a medical induction date is looming on the horizon.