A pregnancy induction massage is a light to medium massage technique used on the mid back and extremities from 38 weeks onward to prepare your body for onset of labour. The induction points located by your therapist during the massage will help your body ready itself for Labour, while easing pain.
Acupressure can be used to stimulate contractions, helping to induce labour in cases of post maturity. The acupressure points commonly used are: Spleen 6, Large Intestine 4, Bladder 32 and Gall Bladder 21.
Induction massage can help to stimulate the release of oxytocin, a hormone that triggers contractions and can help to induce labor naturally. This can be especially helpful for women who are overdue and want to avoid medical induction.
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.
Hormones are released when the amniotic sac is separated from the cervix – they help prepare your body for labour. If your cervix is still closed, your doctor can massage it for 15–30 seconds to help release the hormones. Membrane sweeping is done to try and start labour.
There is no scientific proof to back up the belief that having a pedicure might cause labour. Some women, nevertheless, feel that the pressure and massage used to the feet and lower legs during a pedicure might help to induce contractions.
Women usually go into labor in 24-48 hours after this massage IF their bodies are in fact ready to labor. The synchronicity of all the techniques applied above work wonderfully to prepare the body and mind for birth.
Experts stay safe by avoiding pressure points associated with the pelvis, wrists, hands, and ankles. Due to the risk of blood clots during pregnancy it is also important to avoid deep tissue massage in the legs.
We love Ina May Gaskin's quote, “Squat 300 times a day, you're going to give birth quickly.” However, if you have not been squatting at all, start with our minimum of 25 squats a day.
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.
Studies evaluating the effect of foot baths in the first stage of labor reported that they improve the frequency of labor contractions in women with slow labor [9] and increase the duration of labor contractions in primiparous women [10]. Thus, foot baths may show effects on labor induction.
Reflexology has shown to help induce labour and reduce pain during childbirth. In fact, more and more nurses are beginning to learn this specialized type of foot massage and are using it in delivery rooms around the world to ease their patients' discomfort and reduce the length of labour.
The finger can gently dilate the cervix and separate the membranes from the uterine wall. This is called “membrane stripping.” It may be uncomfortable for the patient, but it can be effective.
Walking around the room, doing simple movements in bed or chair, or even changing positions may encourage dilation. This is because the weight of the baby applies pressure to the cervix. People may also find swaying or dancing to calming music effective.
You can feel your cervix by gently putting one or two clean or gloved fingers deep into your vagina (make sure you don't have any sharp or jagged edges on your nails). Using lube may make this more comfortable. Seeing your cervix can be a little trickier, but it's possible.
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.
There are no signs that your water is going to break; however, most people will be in labor and have contractions before their water breaks. So, if you're in labor and experiencing contractions, your water can break at any moment.
While it may be tempting to attempt breaking your own water. Don't do it, it's not safe. It can be hard to wait for labor to begin on its own, but trying to rupture your own membranes could injure you or your baby and/or expose your baby to infection.