Studies show that a massage can raise your body's level of oxytocin, that hormone that can bring on labor contractions. Some massage therapists swear by their ability to help jump-start labor when a mom-to-be is overdue. Many even focus on certain pressure points to move labor along.
The Spleen 6 point, or SP6, is a popular acupressure point used to induce labor. It is located on the inside of the leg, approximately four fingers above the ankle bone. This point is believed to help regulate the menstrual cycle and stimulate the uterus, making it a practical acupressure point for inducing labor.
The stimulation of acupressure points during your labour focus massage can assist in supporting natural body processes that are underway during the final stages of pregnancy, such as encouraging the descent of the baby into position, dilation of the cervix and facilitation of uterine contractions.
If your cervix is closed, your midwife or doctor will massage the outside of your cervix. This may also get labour to start. If you find the procedure too uncomfortable, you can ask your midwife or doctor to stop at any time.
Otherwise, you can position yourself with pillows so you are slightly on your side, or use a massage chair. However, massage of the tummy or breasts can cause contractions of the womb. If you notice strong contractions, stop that part of the massage. You may find that you are more sensitive to smells than usual.
Avoid deep pressure in your abdomen and legs. Consult with your health care team before getting a massage. This is especially important if you have a high-risk pregnancy. Consider waiting until the second or third trimester.
Some women, nevertheless, feel that the pressure and massage used to the feet and lower legs during a pedicure might help to induce contractions. Although there is no hard evidence that this approach works, several women swear by it!
Nipple stimulation is used to encourage uterus contractions, help the uterus contract after birth, and even strengthen slow or stalled contractions during labor. This may help you avoid the risks of medically speeding up your labour.
One of the most commonly used acupressure points, Spleen 6 (SP6) is traditionally thought to be helpful for inducing labor. It may also be effective for decreasing labor pain and helping labor move a little faster. Where to find it: SP6 is on the back of your calf, about 2 inches above your inner lower ankle bone.
If a woman is performing self-massage, she may wish to place her fingertips just outside the areola, then massage inward toward the nipple. It is best to massage the nipple gently, in a rolling motion. Massaging one breast at a time to avoid overstimulation. Limiting the duration of the massage.
Researchers now believe that when a baby is ready for life outside his mother's uterus, his body releases a tiny amount of a substance that signals the mother's hormones to begin labor (Condon, Jeyasuria, Faust, & Mendelson, 2004). In most cases, your labor will begin only when both your body and your baby are ready.
During the 1st trimester laying on your stomach and back should be safe for you and your baby. Once you are further along in your pregnancy the side laying position is the safest way to receive a massage for both you and your baby.
Toilet Sitting
Whether you're actually using the toilet (emptying your bladder helps make more room for baby to move down!) or just sitting on it, the position is known to be helpful in active labor and transition.
There are no proven safe ways for a woman to break her water at home. It can be dangerous if the water breaks before natural labor begins or before the baby is fully developed. During the natural process of labor, the water breaks when the baby's head puts pressure on the amniotic sac, causing it to rupture.
They can, experts say, but only if your body is actually getting ready for labor. “The fact is that if a woman's cervix isn't ripe–meaning soft and ready for dilation—then no exercise in the world will induce her into labor!” says Kathy Fray, a midwife and maternity consultant in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Hegu, also known as the Union Valley or L14, is the fleshy area of the hand located between the thumb and forefinger. If this area is massaged during pregnancy, it can cause uterine contractions. The same is true for certain parts of the wrist and pressure points on the lower back and lower abdomen.
For example, it may help you to relax, relieve aches, improve sleep and boost your circulation. It may also help to reduce any feelings of anxiety and improve your mood in general. From the middle of your second trimester onwards, your baby may move in response to your touch.
Although there is no consensus on the full spectrum of forbidden points,3 those most frequently cited as contraindicated throughout pregnancy (at least before 37 weeks) are SP6, LI4, BL60, BL67, GB21, LU7, and points in the lower abdomen (eg, CV3–CV7) and sacral region (eg, BL27–34).