Now nine months have passed... The due date given by the doctor is approaching, and maybe that day has already passed. But there is no sign of the baby coming. It seems that the baby in the womb is not important at all. The impatience and a little fear that a mother feels at this time... only a mother knows it. There is no end to the advice from people around her like "Do this or that", "Do this or that". So today, let's talk about how effective and scientific these methods that are said to help speed up childbirth are really.
The 'hero' that helps start labor - Prostaglandins
Okay, so let's first look at what happens inside the body to initiate labor. This is helped by a lot of hormones in our body. One of the main heroes here is a hormone called prostaglandin .
Simply put, this hormone is what helps to "ripen" or soften the cervix, preparing it for labor. If you've been having a hard day and your doctor is trying to induce labor at the hospital, they'll often use a gel containing this prostaglandin.
So, what we hope to achieve with our home remedies is to naturally stimulate this prostaglandin hormone.
Does having sex really help?
This is the most popular story among many people. Is there really a scientific basis for this? The answer is, yes!
Even doctors say this is a method that can be successful. There are two reasons for this:
1. Prostaglandins are found in semen : A man's semen naturally contains prostaglandins. When these enter the vagina during sexual intercourse, they help soften the cervix and prepare for labor.
2. Oxytocin: When a woman has an orgasm, the body releases a hormone called oxytocin. This hormone causes contractions in the uterus. Oxytocin is also the drug that is added to the saline solution given in the hospital.
Often, in the last stages of pregnancy, husbands are afraid that they will cause harm to their wives or the baby. However, if your pregnancy is normal and free of risk factors (for example, if you do not have a condition like Placenta Previa ), there is nothing wrong with talking to your doctor and having safe sex. However, you should definitely do this in a comfortable position for the pregnant mother, very gently . If you have any doubts about this, it is best to ask your doctor directly.
What is true or false about other methods?
We hear many other stories besides having sex. Let's look at them one by one. I have created a small table to make this information easier to understand.
| Method | The story being told | Medical opinion and the real situation |
|---|---|---|
| Walking well | While walking, the baby drops down and labor begins. | Walking does not directly stimulate prostaglandins. However, it helps the baby's head settle down in the pelvis. Walking is also better for the body than just standing still, as it relaxes the muscles. So walking is good, but don't expect labor to start right away. |
| Castor Oil Drink | When you drink castor oil, your stomach will empty and your uterus will become active. | This is a bit risky. Castor oil can cause severe intestinal irritation and diarrhea. This stomach pain can also stimulate the uterus and cause contractions. But this will only happen if your cervix is already ripe for labor. Otherwise, you will only experience severe stomach pain and diarrhea, and labor will not begin. It is a very uncomfortable experience. So do not try these things without the advice of a doctor. |
| Spicy Food | When you eat spicy food, your intestines are stimulated and labor begins. | This is a similar story to castor oil. There is no direct connection between the GI tract and the uterus. Eating spicy foods only increases the activity of the intestines. It can sometimes cause severe heartburn and discomfort. Therefore, there is no scientific evidence that this will start labor. |
| Herbal Teas | Some herbs (e.g. Cohosh) can speed up labor when made into a tea. | This is absolutely unacceptable. There are no controlled trials on the amount of these herbs to take or their side effects. Some herbs contain chemicals called phytoestrogens, which can affect blood clotting factors. During the last stages of pregnancy, the body naturally increases blood clotting to stop bleeding after childbirth. Using unfamiliar herbs at this time can be dangerous. Therefore, do not use any herbs without medical advice. |
| Evening Primrose Oil | When these oil capsules are taken or placed in the vagina, the cervix ripens. | There is some truth to this. The compound GLA in Evening Primrose Oil is a precursor to prostaglandins. Some doctors recommend it to soften the cervix (ripen the cervix). However, this only ripens the cervix. It will not help to start labor directly (inducing labor). However, you should definitely talk to your doctor before using it. |
So what's the best thing to do?
When we look at all of this, we realize that many of the things we say we can do at home have no scientific basis, some of them cause discomfort, and others can even be dangerous.
The most important thing is patience. Every pregnancy is different. Your doctor will monitor you and your baby constantly. If there is any risk to you or your baby, they will take the necessary steps in a timely manner.
If you have any doubts or want to try something, talk to your doctor about it openly first. Don't just listen to what people say, make your own decisions, and try things you don't know about. It's very important for the safety of both you and your baby.
Take-Home Message
- Before doing anything that you think might speed up labor, be sure to talk to your doctor.
- If your pregnancy is normal and risk-free, practicing safe sex can help induce labor.
- Although walking is good for your health and helps the baby descend, it is not a surefire way to start labor.
- Things like castor oil and spicy foods can cause severe discomfort and are very unlikely to induce labor.
- Do not try any herbs or teas without medical advice. They may cause unexpected side effects.
- Be patient. Your body and your baby know when the right time is. Your doctor is constantly monitoring you and your baby.
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