Encourage contractions

Contractions are a phenomenon at the end of pregnancy, which are triggered by the hormone oxytocin. In most cases they occur on their own. However, it may also be necessary that the contractions should or must be additionally encouraged.

A possible option is then the initiation of contractions by medication. However, there are also many household and food products which can induce the onset of labor or even strengthen weak contractions. Before taking any of these measures, this should be discussed with the midwife or the gynecologist to rule out any danger to the child.

Consumption of food that promotes contractions Raspberry leaf tea or contraction tea Contraction cocktail Castor oil Walks, climbing stairs, cleaning windows Circular movements on a gymnastics ball, belly dance Nipple massage Cervical massage Foot reflexology or abdominal massage Acupressure Bathing Homeopathy

Administration of contraceptive drugs (oxytocin or prostaglandin)
Enjoyment of food that promotes labor pains
Raspberry leaf tea or contraction tea
Contraction cocktail
Castor oil
Walking, climbing stairs, cleaning windows
Circular movements on a gymnastic ball, belly dance
Nipple Massage
Cervical Massage
Foot reflexology or stomach massage
Acupressure
Bathing
Homeopathy

There is not only the one contraction tea. Depending on the source and experience of the midwives, the recipes can vary greatly. What they have in common, however, is that the individual ingredients of the labor tea are known to trigger labor.

Two examples are given below. Firstly, tea made from raspberry leaves alone can promote labor. It is also said that the cervix can be dilated by drinking the tea.

These effects have not been scientifically proven, but there are numerous reports of experience. Therefore, it should first be discussed with the gynecologist or midwife whether it is sensible and safe to try to promote labor with the tea. During the rest of the pregnancy, up until the date of birth, larger quantities of the tea should be avoided in order not to induce premature contractions by mistake.

Another recipe combines raspberry leaves with cloves, ginger and cinnamon. The first three ingredients are placed in a tea egg and infused with hot water. The cinnamon can then be added directly to the tea water.

Experience reports say that if several cups of this tea are drunk throughout the day, contractions can be induced within one or two days. There is a long list of household remedies in the literature that can help to promote labor. Many of these home remedies are explained in detail in separate sections.

These include, for example, certain foods known to induce labor and massages of various parts of the body. Besides foot reflexology or acupressure, a short massage of the abdomen, for example with almond oil, can stimulate the contractions. Sexual intercourse can also have a positive effect on the contractions.

The hormone oxytocin, which is mainly responsible for the contractions, is secreted more frequently. In addition, the sperm contain so-called prostaglandins, which soften the cervix. Experience reports confirm that taking cinnamon can trigger labor pains in some women.

Cinnamon does not necessarily have to be eaten in its pure form. It seems to be just as effective to eat cinnamon-containing pastries, for example. An alternative to this can also be the consumption of cinnamon tea.

For the tea, a few cinnamon sticks are crumbled and then poured over with hot water. After about 10 minutes, the cinnamon sticks can be removed from the tea water. Before trying to stimulate the contractions with cinnamon, this should be discussed with the gynecologist or midwife.

They can check beforehand whether the baby is ready for birth or whether you should wait a little longer. So far, however, there are still no good quality scientific studies to prove the effect of cinnamon on the contractions and also to detect possible side effects. It is also important to choose the right cinnamon.

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommends Ceylon cinnamon specifically for pregnant women. Compared to Cassia cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon contains only little coumarins. Larger amounts of coumarins can cause nausea, vomiting or headaches in sensitive persons.They also have a toxic effect on liver and kidney.

A short bath can relax the muscles in the pelvic area and thus give the uterus the impulse to start the contractions. The bath water should have a temperature of about 38 degrees Celsius. You can easily check the temperature with a bath thermometer.

In addition, a few drops of essential oil can be added to the bath water. For example lavender oil is a good choice. Furthermore, one should take care not to lie in the bath water for too long in order not to overstrain the circulation in this phase of pregnancy.

For this reason, if possible, a second person should be nearby during the bath. In this way they can quickly intervene and help in case of circulatory problems. The warmth can also help to distinguish between pre-development and real contractions.

Pre-abortion usually disappears due to the warmth of the bath water. This does not happen with real contractions. If you have any questions, exercise can be a very good method to encourage the contractions or to support weak contractions.

All forms of movement should be done in moderation so as not to strain the body, as it will need all the strength it can muster during the birth. For example, easy walks are a good idea. Through the walking movement, the child’s head is positioned even better in the pelvis and gravity sets a stimulus which can lead to the onset of labor.

However, you should not go for a walk to remote places and it is best to have an accompanying person with you in case the contractions should suddenly occur while walking. Climbing stairs or cleaning windows have a similar effect to walking. Since these two movements can quickly become strenuous, a good amount of attention should be paid to them.

Overexertion also has a rather negative effect on the contractions and can delay them. It is also reported that pelvic circling or crawling on all fours has a similar effect to walking. Especially the circling movements can put the baby’s head into a good birthing position and then put pressure on the pelvis.

There are some homeopathic foods that can potentially promote labor. First of all, one should seek advice from an experienced gynaecologist regarding the best preparations and the correct dosage. The gynaecologist can then immediately weigh up whether the benefits of the homeopathic remedies outweigh any possible risks.

Possible preparations are for example Pulsatilla or Caulophylum. The preparations can be taken individually or in combination, or dissolved in water. It should also be mentioned that there is no scientific proof of the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies.

Numerous studies have shown that the effect of homeopathy does not exceed the placebo effect. Particularly in pregnancy, the principle applies to such additives or even medicines to be avoided if possible, since many active ingredients are transferred to the unborn child via the placenta. For this reason, homeopathy should also be handled with care.

After a bubble burst, natural contractions usually begin within 24 hours. If this is not the case, additional help must be given, otherwise the risk of infection increases. A special case is when the contractions occur before the 37th week of pregnancy.

In this case one would try to maintain the pregnancy as long as possible. The reason for this is that the lungs are not yet sufficiently mature and this could be problematic in the event of premature birth. As a prophylaxis against an infection, an antibiotic is given and the contractions are also inhibited accordingly with medication.

In addition, another drug is given to help the baby’s lungs mature, in case premature birth does occur. In the case of a premature rupture of the bladder after the 37th week of pregnancy, the aim would be a speedy birth. The contractions can then be encouraged with the measures described above.

For example, a breast massage is recommended. Nothing should be inserted into the vagina and as few examinations as possible should be performed. Often, however, there is no need to take any further measures to promote labor, since 95% of women go into labor within 24 hours after premature ovulation.

If possible, food that promotes labor should not be consumed at all or only in small quantities until the birth date.If the contractions are to be stimulated from the outside, one can try to stimulate the contractions by eating the following foods

Unripe papaya contains latex, which is known to trigger the contraction of the uterus.
Many spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, coriander, curry, marjoram or cloves are also said to have a stimulating effect on contractions.
This is also the case with sugar substitutes such as those contained in various light products or chewing gum.

There are two pressure points, which are intended to stimulate the contractions during a foot reflex zone massage or to promote the lowering of the child’s head into the pelvis. The spleen 6 pressure point can be used to stimulate the contractions. In order to find this pressure point, one starts at the ankle of the foot.

From there, measure three fingers along the shinbone and then walk backwards towards the Achilles tendon. There is a pressure-sensitive point there, which should soften the cervix during massage and promote weak contractions. The second point (bladder 60) is located between the ankle and the Achilles tendon, just below spleen 6.

Massage of this point should help to guide the child’s head into the correct position, which can also promote contractions. This topic might also be of interest to you: Breathing the contractionsThe gym ball, just like a walk or other circular movements, can help to optimize the position of the child’s head, which then helps to promote the contractions. To do this, one sits on a gymnastics ball and performs slow circular movements.

If you cannot keep your balance safely, a second person should help to support you to avoid possible falls. Careful massage or stimulation of the nipples can lead to increased secretion of the pregnancy hormone oxytocin. Since oxytocin is the driving hormone for labor, nipple stimulation can also be used to promote labor.

However, the sensitive skin around the nipple should not be irritated too much as this can cause pain during breastfeeding. Therefore, nipple stimulation should only be tried for a few minutes. Acupressure is based on the stimulation of certain points on the body through pressure or massage.

The points lie along so-called meridians from Asian medicine and are also used in acupuncture. A popular pressure point to stimulate contractions is the point colon 4, which is located between the thumb and the index finger. Even pressure and circular movements can trigger the contractions.

If acupressure actually triggers a contraction, a break should be taken until the contraction subsides. Then the acupressure can be resumed. Furthermore, there are still pressure points in the shoulder and pelvis area.

The hormone oxytocin is one of the main drugs used to stimulate contractions. It is also secreted by the body and then causes the contractions to begin rhythmically, the milk ejection takes place after birth and it has positive effects on the mother’s relationship with the child and also with her partner. If the contractions do not start properly, oxytocin can be given through a continuous perfuser.

The hormone is administered continuously through the vein. This is also called the drip. Drug stimulation of the contractions may be necessary if the placenta no longer has sufficient blood flow to supply the baby properly.

Also in cases of gestational diabetes or hypertension, as well as premature rupture of the bladder without subsequent contractions, it may be necessary to stimulate the contractions with oxytocin. Another drug that can be given in these situations is prostaglandin. It is given directly through the vagina.

This has the advantage that there are hardly any side effects, but the drug is difficult to control. In addition to the drugs there are other drugs that can promote labor. These include castor oil or a contraction cocktail. These home remedies should only be taken under the supervision of a gynecologist or midwife.