In certain situations it may be necessary to support the birth of the child with medical measures. In this way, the start of labor can be artificially brought about or accelerated by inducing labor.
Substances that stimulate labor are used to ensure that the childbirth process that is still absent or is not yet sufficient really gets going. Depending on the situation and the reason for induction of labor, both medication and natural, homeopathic remedies are suitable for this. Certain behavioral measures can also have a positive effect on the start of labor and the delivery process.
It is always important to have an individual approach with regard to the choice of suitable labor-inducing measures as well as a thorough examination of the indications. Medical supervision and the involvement of the midwife in the induction of labor is therefore essential.
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Our next article will give you more information on this topic: Initiate birth
There are numerous reasons for labor induction measures, with maternal and child reasons being distinguished. Missing the due date (> 41 weeks of gestation) or so-called transfers (> 42 weeks of gestation) are among the most common reasons for induction of labor.
The situations justified on the mother's side include, for example, liver or kidney diseases, high blood pressure during pregnancy and the associated possible risk situations such as preeclampsia and eclampsia.
Even with diabetes mellitus during pregnancy, labor is often induced, not least because of the often larger than average children and a reduction in the complication rate during the labor process.
If the urinary bladder ruptures prematurely, labor induction is carried out after the birth has not started naturally to prevent possible infections that may arise in the vagina.
Childhood indications for induction of labor can be, for example, both growth retardation, i.e. insufficient child size development, and the well-founded suspicion of a too large, so-called macrosomal child. The elective induction of labor after the 39th week of pregnancy is also controversial. The pregnant woman's wish to accelerate the birth is fulfilled without any health risks or medical reasons making it necessary to induce labor.
Do you have any further interest in this topic? Read more about this under: Rupture of the bladder - does the birth begin now?
The length of time it takes for labor to actually start after taking contractions is always individual for each woman, regardless of the drug used. It can only be a few hours, but it is not uncommon to wait several days for the start of action.
If it is an acute emergency that requires immediate child development, measures to induce or promote labor are no longer an option. In such cases, the pregnancy must be terminated immediately by means of a caesarean section.
For detailed information on this topic, see: Contractions
How you start labor depends on numerous influencing factors. These include, for example, individual risks, whether previous operations on the uterus have already taken place, the degree of maturity of the cervix or the time frame in which the birth is sought.
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MEDICINAL
MECHANICALLY
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Would you like to know more about this topic? Our next article provides more information on this for you: Promote labor
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The hormone prostaglandin, which is inserted into the vagina in the form of vaginal suppositories, tampons or tablets, is one of the drugs that trigger labor.
A distinction is made between two commonly used isoforms. The E2 prostaglandin dinoprostone is approved in Germany, whereas the use of the E1 prostaglandin misoprostol is “off-label use”. This means that there is no official approval of the drug for the purpose of inducing labor, but that it is still widely used.
The use of prostaglandins to induce labor is particularly suitable for the immature cervix, as this makes the cervix soft and prepares it for the birth. Due to the increased risk, induction with prostaglandins is not carried out in pregnant women who have already had a caesarean section.
You can find detailed information on this topic on our website at: Prostaglandins at birth
Various non-medicinal home remedies can be used to initiate the birth process.
The so-called labor cocktail is one of the best-known home remedies. This is a drink that always contains castor oil and, depending on the recipe, different juices, often apricot juice in combination with almond juice, which are supposed to improve the taste and stimulate the intestinal activity. In most cases, the labor cocktail has a strong laxative effect and can trigger labor through the constant urge to defecate.
However, stomach cramps and diarrhea often occur as undesirable side reactions. Therefore, the consumption of a labor cocktail should not be taken on your own, but always after consultation and advice of the gynecologist or midwife.
Special herbal infusions in the form of teas can also induce labor. Tampons soaked in diluted clove oil, which are inserted vaginally and left in the vagina for about an hour, should also have a labor-inducing effect. However, strict hygiene and correct handling must be observed, as otherwise there is a risk of health risks in the form of bacterial infections.
Alternative medical measures to promote labor can also be used. These include acupuncture or a foot reflexology massage.
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Various herbs and spices are thought to have labor inducing effects. These include:
$config[ads_text1] not foundOften, relatively large quantities in the form of several cups of such tea blends are necessary to achieve the desired effect. The preparation can be done according to different recipes, whereby you should always consult your doctor or midwife regarding the correct intake. Some pharmacies already offer ready-made tea blends to promote labor, but these should only be drunk on medical advice.
You can find detailed information on this topic at: Use tea to stimulate labor
Induction of labor can be promoted and supported independently through various behavioral measures.
You can read more information on this topic here: Induce labor
Like any use of medication, the use of labor inducers is not entirely without its risks.
Following on from this topic, read our next article below: Complications during childbirth
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