Inducing labor; that's how you do that!
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It can be quite frustrating for pregnant women to walk 'overtime' during pregnancy. Yet it happens very regularly; especially with a first pregnancy. Although the baby will come when it is time, there are a number of things a pregnant woman can do to (possibly) induce contractions. Read all about it in this article!
Generating the sense and nonsense of contractions
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Only a small percentage of all pregnant women actually give birth on their due date. The vast majority give birth before or after that date; most afterwards. In the final stages of pregnancy, waiting for the baby can be quite frustrating; especially when the leave has started and the days are filled in with 'waiting'. It is good to realize that a baby needs all the time to grow in the belly; childbirth cannot be forced. Inducing contractions yourself is therefore not really an issue; it is better to talk about 'stimulating' contractions. A pregnant woman whose cervix has not yet matured has virtually no means of inducing contractions. The body is just not ready yet. And even when the cervix is ripe, there are many doubts about remedies / actions that can induce contractions. The tips and ideas below should therefore not be taken too seriously.
Making love
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While some women really don't want to think about it at the end of pregnancy (or practically speaking it just isn't feasible anymore), intercourse with the partner can induce contractions. It is well known that there is a certain 'substance' in a man's semen that can induce contractions. The question is whether this 'dust' can do enough to induce contractions after one sex.
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11 minMain dishpeanut oil, tofu stir-fry cubes finely seasoned, stir fry sauce sweet and sour, thick noodles, carrot julienne, beetroot julienne, yellow bell pepper, watercress,rainbow salad with tofu -
45 minMain dishRed cabbage, mild olive oil, quinoa plus, forest outing, lemon, sesame oil, soy sauce less salt, Bio Today tahini white in pot, tap water,grilled red cabbage with quinoa salad -
30 minDessertBrie, Roquefort, port salut, gruyere, Camembert, walnut, garlic, thyme, honey, grape, baguette, Red onion, red grape, raisins, Red wine, Red wine vinegar, Brown sugar,generous cheese plate with onion marmalade -
30 minDessertFull Milk, whipped cream, macaroon, custard powder, vanilla sugar, sugar, protein, amaretto, almond liqueur, basic recipe cooking pears,macaroon pastry with casserole
Homeopathy
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As a pregnant woman you can aim your arrows at the world of homeopathy to induce contractions. For example, there are tablets (or drops) of VSM that could induce contractions. The name of the homeopathic remedy is Caulophyllum, and intended to ripen the cervix. The tablets (or drops) may be taken from week 37. Their effectiveness has never been proven, but it doesn't hurt to take them. It can be difficult to get the remedy from the pharmacy or drugstore, as most pharmacies or drugstores have to have it custom made (it's out of stock).
Raspberry Leaf Tea
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This tea could contribute to inducing contractions, but is also mainly intended for after childbirth. Postpartum recovery may be speeded up by drinking raspberry leaf tea.
Massage
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There are a number of 'pressure points' in the body that are in contact with the uterus. By stimulating these pressure points, contractions could be induced. For example, a pressure point is at the heel of a pregnant woman. Other pressure points can be found around the breasts, nipples and arms. So a good massage can help.
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5 minDrink without alcoholbananas, cool fresh apple-pear raspberry juice, Soy drink vanilla,soy fruit shake -
20 minMain dishsauerkraut, sticking potato, liquid baking product, half-to-half minced, Spice meatballs, pineapple, olive oil, liquid baking product,gratin sauerkraut dish with minced meat -
40 minMain dishlemongrass, fresh ginger, Red peppers, onions, tomato cubes, fresh cod fillet, coriander, oil, ground turmeric (koenjit), coconut milk, salt,fish in creamy coconut sauce -
15 minSide dishsweet potato, soft goat cheese, egg, spring / forest onion,stuffed sweet potato with egg
Food and drinks
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Certain foods may induce contractions, such as pineapple. In the 'heart' of pineapple is a substance that can induce wee. However, the dust could also cause a baby to defecate in the amniotic fluid at birth. Spicy food could also trigger labor, mainly because the intestines are 'set in motion'. Finally, drinking Bitter Lemon seems to help too.
Move
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Sufficient exercise is useful at the end of pregnancy anyway; whether it helps induce contractions or not. Sometimes pregnant women tend to lie in bed or sit on the couch a lot during their leave weeks. A leisurely walk or bike ride can be very good. Sometimes it is even recommended to drive fast over bumps (by bike or car), but the effect of this is not entirely clear.
Castor Oil
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A remedy that 'formerly' was sometimes used to induce contractions is castor oil. Castor oil is terribly dirty to drink, but it puts the intestines into action almost immediately, which can cause contractions again. Castor oil is available at most drug stores. The effect of castor oil is usually not very pleasant; the intestines are working overtime and a pregnant woman can lie awake for nights from all the rumbling; without result.
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A remedy that 'in the past' was sometimes used to induce contractions is castor oil. Castor oil is terribly dirty to drink, but it settles the intestines almost instantly
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20 minMain dishTasty vine tomato, (olive oil, fresh basil, onion, garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano, zucchini spaghetti, pumpkin spaghetti, mini buffalo mozzarella,lukewarm pumpkin and zucchini spaghetti -
15 minSide dishtraditional olive oil, curry powder, wheat flour, coconut milk, sambal oelek, chicken broth tablet, water, fresh mango,curry sauce with mango -
30 minMain dishtraditional olive oil, lean ground beef, frozen Mexican wok vegetables, salsa sauce mild, taco shell, grated young cheese, creme fraiche,Mexican vegetable in tacos -
95 minMain dishmaize chicken, lemon, coarse sea salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, thyme, zucchini, tomatoes (small to), black olives without pit,provençal chicken with zucchini and tomatoes