What will soften cervix

Work on Alignment: Bringing some balance into your own body might also help. Try a Birthing Ball: Rocking, bouncing, and rotating your hips on a birthing ball also opens the pelvis, and it may speed up cervical dilation. When walking, your baby will press against the cervix, which might help it efface and dilate.

Have Sex: The idea is that semen contains prostaglandins, which promotes a soft cervix, and having an orgasm can spur uterine contractions. Research results are mixed about whether sex actually helps induce labor , but if you have a low-risk pregnancy, it might not hurt to test the theory. Talk to your doctor first. Here are some common methods:. By Nicole Harris July 29, Save Pin FB More. Medication with prostaglandins either oral or vaginal to encourage cervical softening and dilation.

A mechanical cervical ripening, in which a balloon-like device gradually pushes the cervix open. This is meant to release cervix-softening prostaglandins and start contractions. By Nicole Harris. This releases….

What are the recommendations for how long women should wait before resuming sex after pregnancy? How does giving birth affect sex? Factors influencing…. In this article, we provide a guide…. Most deliveries happen safely, but sometime a complication can occur. Common problems include failure to progress, excessive bleeding, and placenta…. Many people believe that stimulating the nipples can help to induce labor. Nipple stimulation causes the release of a hormone that triggers uterine….

How can people speed up dilation? How to dilate faster Tips to speed up dilation The stages of labor Takeaway There are ways to induce labor medically, but a person can often encourage dilation by keeping the body relaxed and loose. How to dilate faster at home. Share on Pinterest Using an exercise ball may help to speed up dilation. Tips for quicker dilation during labor. Share on Pinterest Medical intervention may be necessary during labor.

The stages of labor. Share on Pinterest There are three distinct stages of labor. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals.

Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. The studies that have been done tend to be small and evidence is difficult to verify: if labor is due any way, how do you know whether it was the curry you ate last night that actually brought it on?

Be sure to talk to your midwife or doctor at your next check-up before you try any of these methods. This is particularly important if there are any complications in your pregnancy, as there is even less evidence about the safety of these methods in a high-risk pregnancy.

Use relaxation techniques taught in any childbirth class. Use visual imagery of labor beginning. The most important thing to do is to find a way to relieve tension.

Tension works against labor. Relieve it, let everything go, and you may be surprised to find yourself in labor. Get quiet and relaxed and imagine your uterus contracting as well as the process of labor hypnosis or self-hypnosis has been known to really do wonders with this one. Nipple stimulation is the gentle rubbing or rolling of the nipple to encourage the start of contractions. The theory is that oxytocin, a hormone that causes contractions is released in the body when the breasts are stimulated.

A review of studies found that contractions after nipple stimulation did not over-stimulate the uterus, which could be dangerous for the baby. There is a lack of research on the safety of this technique in high risk pregnancies, so currently it is only recommended in normal pregnancies. Sex as a means of getting labor started is thought to work in three ways: first, orgasm may help to stimulate the uterus into action.

Secondly, sex can trigger the release of oxytocin, and third, semen contains a high concentration of prostaglandins which may help to ripen or soften the cervix. Sex is safe as long as your waters have not broken. Once this has happened, making love may increase the risk of infection. You should also avoid sex if you have a low-lying placenta placenta previa or have had vaginal bleeding. Men often feel uncomfortable making love to their partners with a baby so obviously present, but the baby will be unharmed.

Homeopathic remedies use highly diluted versions of more potent substances to treat the body. Pulsatilla and Caulophyllum are two commonly used homeopathic remedies used to stimulate labor. These remedies appear to be safe.

The Faculty of Homeopathy has researched their use in labor and not found any incidents of damage caused by them. There are plenty of anecdotal evidence from patients who found that homeopathy is helpful, but this has not been researched in a systematic way.

One trial into caulophyllum found no difference between the women who took it and those who did not take it. Contact a registered homeopath for further information. Also, just being upright gets the forces of gravity working for you, encouraging the baby to move down into the pelvis. Be careful not to wear yourself out. This is not the moment to take up power walking, particularly if you have not done much exercise earlier on in your pregnancy. A gentle stroll is probably the best you will be able to manage.

Two combinations of herbs are available and both combinations can have beneficial effects to soften and thin the cervix. Evening Primrose Oil Can be found in mg capsules.

These may be taken orally or vaginally — one to three capsules 3 times each day for the last 4 weeks of pregnancy to soften and thin the cervix. Used to help organize contractions and tone the muscles of the uterus. There are many herbal combinations in capsules, teas, and tinctures.

Many health providers encourage their use, but as scientific studies are lacking, we do not recommend any of these preparations at this time due to safety issues. Unfortunately, the statistics are out on this one, there is simply not enough research to support that any foods are effective in inducing labor.