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Labor Induction
What is Labor Induction?
Inducing labor is when the birth process is given an artificial start through medical interventions or other methods. However, induction should not be performed until at least 39 weeks, and then only when benefits outweigh risks. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 16 percent of expectant mothers are induced in the US.
What are some possible reasons for Inducing Labor?
- Complications like hypertension, pre-eclampsia, heart disease, gestational diabetes, or bleeding during pregnancy.
- The baby is in danger of not getting enough nutrients and oxygen from the placenta.
- The amniotic sac has ruptured and labor has not started within 24-48 hours.
- The baby is small for gestational age.
- There is an infection inside the uterus known as chorioamnionitis.
Chinese Medicine Treatment for Labor Induction
Acupuncture for labor induction is most effective when starting your treatments the week of your due date. The effects of acupuncture are not as instantaneous as medical induction and it may be necessary to receive treatment daily to stimulate labor. However, acupuncture induction generally works within 6-48 hours of having a treatment. Research has shown that acupuncture stimulates the release of prostaglandins and oxytocin, and has demonstrated its safety and effectiviness for labor induction. Our protocol also involves meridian massage and point stimulation by the patient at home.
Some other natural methods to induce labor
- Sex to Induce Labor: Semen contains prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause the cervix to “ripen”, or soften and prepare to open. Another great side effect is the fact that orgasms produce oxytocin, the hormone that causes contractions.
- Nipple Stimulation causes the release of oxytocin, the same hormone that causes uterine contractions.
- Spicy food
- Walking and especially climbing stairs
- Relaxation—mental, physical, and emotional. This prevents the woman from releasing adrenaline which is a hormone that stops labor.
- Uterine Stimulating herbs—blue and black cohosh, goldenseal, motherwort, and wild ginger are infrequently used and should never be self prescribed.
Western Treatment for Labor Induction
Western medical doctors will use the following medications or methods when inducing labor:
- Prostaglandins: suppositories are inserted in the evening to cause the uterus to contract by the early morning.
- Oxytocin: stimulates contractions. Pitocin and Syntocinon are usually given via an IV at lose dose.
- Misoprostol (Cytotec): a synthetic PGE1 analog that has been found to be a safe and inexpensive agent for cervical ripening.
- Mifepristone (Mifeprex): an antiprogesterone agent. Progesterone inhibits contractions of the uterus, while mifepristone counteracts this action.
- Relaxin: promotes cervical ripening
- Artificial rupture of the membranes. When the bag of water (amniotic sac) breaks or ruptures, production of the hormone prostaglandin increases, speeding up contractions.
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