Five types of exercise that help bring on labor
Exercise is frequently recommended as a natural method of inducing labor. Exercise is especially helpful in bringing your baby down and encouraging him to be more involved. There are at least five types of exercise you can do when you’re pregnant at term to encourage your baby to be born.
Gait as a method of natural labor induction
Walking keeps you upright and helps your baby drop. This puts downward pressure on the cervix, bringing it closer to effacement and cervical dilation. The pressure of your baby’s head on your cervix also increases the local release of oxytocin, which in turn triggers labor.
In addition to helping your baby get into the correct position, walking is also good for you. Walking is an excellent cardiovascular workout and can be done by most people; In addition, it does not require a gym or any special equipment. Walking improves blood circulation, breathing and muscle tone. It keeps you in shape to get through the onset of labor and be ready to welcome your newborn.
If you can, take a walk in the morning when the air is cooler and less polluted. Wear comfortable shoes and also carry a large umbrella. It’s nice to have one, in case you want to lean against something to relieve any strain on your back. And, of course, it’s useful if it’s too sunny or it starts to rain.
Does climbing stairs really help start labor?
It is often said that in hospitals midwives ask you to walk up and down the stairs to speed up the early stage of labor.
Climbing stairs has the same effect as walking. It helps your baby to latch better, your cervix to dilate, and also increases the level of oxytocin in the cervical area. Also, lifting your legs, one after the other, to move to the next step opens up your pelvis. This leaves more room for your baby and helps bring on labor. The slight rocking motion and quick little movements on the way up, and little bumps on the way down, help better position your baby for delivery.
Remember, it’s important not to exhaust yourself climbing stairs, trying to speed up labor. You must know your own limits and you must listen to the signals of your body.
How about swimming to induce labor?
Swimming is another excellent exercise that helps bring about labor. Breaststroke especially is said to have this effect.
Remember to wear goggles and follow proper swimming techniques. If you keep your head above the water at all times while swimming, your spine will curve unnaturally. This is likely to hurt your back, which is already dealing with the extra weight of your belly.
If you don’t know the correct techniques, don’t let that stop you! If you can swim a bit, it becomes surprisingly easy to learn proper breaststroke technique. Contact a swimming teacher for a lesson.
Immersing your body in water, when you are heavily pregnant, is truly a blissful experience. The water supports your body and takes weight off your feet and joints. If you suffer from swollen feet late in your pregnancy, the light pressure of the water will comfortably alleviate this common problem.
It is worth going to the pool or the beach to enjoy the benefits of water and swimming, to help advance labor and relieve swollen feet!
Does the squat help labor start faster?
Squatting opens your pelvis and makes labor easier, because it helps your baby move through the birth canal and also creates more room for your baby to be born. Squatting can help you get into labor faster, if it doesn’t start because the baby is too high up.
The squatting position helps your baby lower and fit into your pelvis. After your baby has latched on well, she is less likely to be able to turn more. This means that you should squat only when your baby is in the proper position for delivery. This position is called the anterior position in which the baby is face down and facing backwards. If your baby is in a posterior position (back to her back) or head-up breech position, it is important not to encourage him to descend. Your baby has to turn into the optimal anterior delivery position before squatting.
Rocking: Could exercise be more convenient for natural labor induction?
Using a swing results in a small G-force that encourages your baby to descend. To try this type of physical exercise early in labor, find a safe swing in which she can sit stably.
All of these exercises can be the last natural stimulus your full-term baby needs to be born. It is always good to exercise. It’s never too late, and even a little physical exercise goes a long way and is an improvement instead of doing nothing. Exercise helps get your labor started and also keeps you fit. When you are in good physical condition, you will feel great and you will resist stress and illness much better. So, take a walk around your block or to the nearest park to use a swing!