According to the Royal College of Midwives 54% of Scottish babies born in 2017 were to women in their 30s and 40s. A rise in the induction of labour has been steadily increasing and one argument is that women are choosing to have children later and therefore there are higher risks of complications during labour. Some women find their midwife has a more relaxed approach to due dates and will support patients who have had normal, healthy pregnancies, are without sudden health changes and respect their wishes to go as far without intervention as is medically permitted. If you find yourself in a situation where you are feeling pressurised to be medically induced, it’s important to look at ways you can naturally stimulate labour beforehand. It’s really important to ask questions about why they want to induce you, how long they are prepared to let you wait for a natural labour to start and clearly express your preferences. Also consider that due dates are not always exact.
Here are a few simple things to try when you are close to your due date or have gone over term:
Ø Having intercourse - semen contains prostaglandins which softens the neck of the womb. Also when you orgasm your endocrine system secretes the hormone oxytocin which plays a vital role during labour, causing the uterine muscles to contract and increasing the production of prostaglandins, which increases contractions further.
Ø Membrane sweep -This is offered by your midwife when you’ve reached full term. A vaginal examination where your midwife inserts a finger through the cervix and makes a rotational movement to separate the membranes from your cervix, is aimed to stimulate hormones that drive labour. However, the effectiveness of this procedure is questionable and not possible if the cervix is closed.
Ø Eating pineapple - Pineapple contains the proteolytic enzyme bromelain which helps soften the cervix and induce labour. The problem is that you have to eat large amounts of it, as with the recommended 6 dates a day! If you’re diabetic or have gestational diabetes, then this is not an option.
Ø Drawing circles with your hips - as simple as this sounds, standing position is better than sitting on the ball in my opinion. Using gravity and making gentle circles, relaxing and opening the pelvis, can help the baby move into a better position for labour. (Also check some yoga positions to help).
Ø Acupuncture and antenatal massage – if the idea of someone working on your feet doesn’t appeal, these treatments can also be particularly effective in getting things started. Find a therapist who is experienced in antenatal care.
……and Reflexology?
I’ll start with the positive as I'm biased! In my experience, reflexology can be an excellent treatment to assist in getting labour started naturally. Of course, we’re not permitted to make any medical claims. Here, I explain the process that I have used and can say, that I’ve had continual positive feedback from clients, as do other reflexologists. Women who are having a second or third child and previously had long and difficult labours, have often come back delighted that this labour was shorter and started roughly within the time frame given at their reflexology treatment. The “negative” is that sometimes, if the baby is back to back, your baby is particularly big, or the head is not engaged, the treatment may not work, but this isn’t necessarily so. Even if everything is absolutely fine, you might need two or three sessions within a short period of time. I usually ask my clients to book in a second appointment 3-4 days later and cancel if they go into labour before. I find, that 9 times out of 10 no more than 2 sessions are needed.
What happens during the treatment?
Regardless of your past experience of reflexology, or if you’ve never had a treatment before, it’s important to understand that this focused treatment is not a relaxing foot massage all the way! Your body is already in a state of heightened response and you’re close to giving birth, therefore you’re feet and calves will be sensitive. A skilled practitioner will take you to a level that is deep enough to work the areas effectively, but will keep you as comfortable as possible. It’s a team effort between you and your reflexologist. I work the “induction” points on the feet and calves, including meridian areas (refer to Reflexology on this site) on a rotation basis, with some relaxing areas worked in between to allow the more sensitive reflex points to settle and for you to enjoy some comfort. Reflexes can reduce in sensitivity when their initial stimulation has been “rested”, but not always. I return to the areas and work them again, usually over an approximately 45 minute period. There are other important areas that I stimulate, alongside the key “induction” points, before we finally finish with relaxation and a well-earned foot massage. If you are experiencing oedema in the feet and ankles particularly, then we will begin the treatment with lymphatic work, to reduce fluid retention as this can make the treatment more comfortable. During the treatment, you may experience braxton hicks contractions and that the baby begins to move around more. This is nothing to be concerned about.
What you may experience after the treatment
Despite the areas that are commonly tender, your feet will still feel tingly, relaxed and light. It’s always wise to go straight home and rest as you may feel tired or sleepy, so take a nap if you can. You may find that you go to the bathroom more, both bowel and bladder, which is a good sign. Feeling thirsty is also common. Within a period of 48 hours we expect labour to have started. I’ve seen it begin in as little time as 10 minutes, but more commonly within 24 hours. If nothing has happened within 48 hours, your second appointment will be required, where often I see quite significant changes in the feet. Another frequent experience soon after the treatment is “period type” pains which may last a few hours and then die down before labour finally starts. Do communicate with your reflexologist after you’ve had your treatment if you need reassurance.
I have continued to be delighted with the stories from clients who have used humble reflexology as part of their antenatal care and would encourage you to try it too. It’s non-invasive, safe and natural. What’s not to try?!
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