Throughout pregnancy, a woman’s body prepares itself for the big day, childbirth. But how long can this moment take to arrive? How do you know when it’s time and how to go into labor? Many questions arise during the gestational period, but believe me—when the time comes, you will know that it’s the moment to meet your gift from God!
What to Do to Go Into Labor?
Labor always happens differently for each woman, and you will hardly know the exact moment it begins, as it is a combination of factors and symptoms that will accompany you up to the baby’s delivery1.
Active labor will only begin when your body and your baby are really ready for birth. The cervix will thin out or, as obstetricians say, will efface and dilate until it reaches the 10 centimeters needed for the baby to come out2.
This is detected through the vaginal (cervical) exam performed by nurses and doctors. But it is important to note that cervical dilation does not always occur when labor is already active, and in these cases, medical intervention is necessary so that birth does not happen prematurely.
Signs of Labor
Lower back pain followed by strong cramps are signs of labor, and they may begin almost imperceptibly and painlessly, but will intensify more and more until the baby’s birth. These pains may happen weeks before the birth day, coming and going, getting stronger and fading, and are called Braxton Hicks contractions, or better explained, as intensive practice contractions for labor.
A discharge that looks like a brownish, clear, or slightly blood-streaked mucus may start to appear and be noticed each time you go to the bathroom. This mucus is the plug that covers the cervix and tends to be released before birth.
Loss of the Mucus Plug
This is considered a sign that labor is near, but unfortunately it’s not possible to know the exact moment it will begin3. The mucus plug can come out days or even weeks before the due date, so you shouldn’t panic when you notice it coming out.
Rupture of the Amniotic Sac
Many women have questions about the water breaking and whether labor has started when this happens, and the answer is no! The amniotic sac does not always rupture when active labor has begun or to announce its start. Labor is only confirmed with regular contractions, and in their absence, labor may need to be induced or a cesarean section may be required to protect the baby from possible infections that can occur, since the baby is no longer protected by the amniotic sac.
How to Speed Up Labor
Labor starts naturally usually between the 37th and 40th week of pregnancy, which is when your body and baby are ready to get things moving. But there are some methods that help the body to enter and speed up labor so that it happens faster and lasts as little time as possible until delivery.
For a baby to be considered full-term, it should be born from the 37th gestational week onwards. Before this period, no form of labor induction is recommended, especially if the woman suffers from preeclampsia or has a case of placenta previa. The best recommendation is often hydration and rest to wait for a better gestational age for the baby to be born.
Activities That Help Labor
Doctors recommend brisk walking, preferably for 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon. Walking helps the baby move further down toward the pelvis, and the pressure from the baby’s head on the cervix increases the production of oxytocin, which is responsible for uterine contractions.
This method is also advised when labor begins, as it helps speed up the process and relieves pain. Having sex regularly at the end of pregnancy is also another effective method, since intimate contact produces oxytocin and stimulates the uterus, helping soften the cervix. This method is only not recommended for high-risk pregnancies and after the amniotic sac ruptures, as it can increase the risk of infection for the baby.
IMPORTANT:Do not do or follow any home remedies without first checking with your obstetrician. What is good for one person may be dangerous for another.
Acupuncture
Other methods such as acupuncture are also used and recommended but should only be performed by a trained professional treating pregnant women, since it is necessary to stimulate the correct and specific points on the body to trigger contractions and bring on labor.
The ingestion of oils such as evening primrose and castor oil is also considered effective, but these should only be used under medical recommendation, as they can cause severe diarrhea or even dehydration. The use should be according to the specific dosage and under guidance from your obstetrician for each case.
Foods That Stimulate Labor
Raspberry leaf tea is a method widely used and recommended by many doulas, who claim that besides strengthening the uterus, it helps labor happen sooner and become less painful.
Spicy foods and cinnamon tea are old recipes considered stimulants for labor, but doctors do not recommend this method as it can cause health problems and affect the pregnant woman’s well-being.
See also: Signs of Labor Near the End of Pregnancy
Photo: Andressa Sipaúba
