How to speed up the process of childbirth: stages of cervical dilatation, stimulation methods at different times

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Everyone knows that the birth of a child is a long and painful process. However, it is still necessary to survive it, and therefore many women ask themselves: "Is it possible to speed up the process of childbirth?" After all, no one wants to suffer for too long and wait for a meeting with their baby. You have been worried and preparing for this event for a very long time. So let's try to figure out how you can speed up the process of childbirth and bring the long-awaited meeting with your baby.

Induction of labor

Childbirth is a complex and multifaceted process. For them to go well, you need to take into account a lot of nuances. Therefore, it is better to stimulate and accelerate this process under the supervision of a doctor or at least after consulting with him. Based on this, stimulation is possible at home and in the maternity hospital.

Initially, you need to be sure that the baby is ready for the birth. To do this, you need to take into account the data of the last ultrasound and the gestational age. According to obstetricians, pregnancy lasts 40 weeks. Their months last for 28 days each, therefore, in terms of months, the woman is not in position for 9 months, but 10. However, the last month, that is, from the 36th to the 40th week, is quite suitable for childbirth. A full-term pregnancy is considered from the 38th week. Therefore, before being interested in how to speed up the process of childbirth, you need to know exactly how long the baby is in the womb.

Cervix before childbirth

The main indicator of readiness for the birth process is the opening of the cervix. The normal state of the cervix throughout pregnancy is characterized by its dense consistency, from 3 to 5 cm long, the canal closed and filled with a mucous plug. All this contributes to the successful bearing of a child.

But closer to childbirth, starting somewhere from the 34-36th week of pregnancy, the cervix begins to prepare for the delivery process. This process is called cervical ripening and includes:

• shortening (up to 1 cm);
• change in consistency (it becomes soft and loose);
• changing location (moving to the center of the birth canal);
• opening the internal and external os.

All these things you need to know before you speed up the process of childbirth using various methods.

Stages of cervical dilatation

Cervical dilation periodIt is divided into 3 stages, each of which has its own duration. However, it should be borne in mind that this is purely individual, and also depends on whether the woman is nulliparous or not.

The first stage is called latent (hidden) or slow. It lasts for 4-6 hours and opens the channel by 4 cm. During this stage, a woman may experience contractions every 6-7 minutes.

The second stage is called active or fast. During her period, contractions are observed every minute, the intensity of disclosure is 1 cm per hour. During this stage, the cervix opens up to 10 cm.

The third stage is the last one. It indicates the beginning of childbirth. Contractions are replaced by attempts, during which the child passes through the birth canal.

Cervical dilatation stimulation methods

Since the process of dilating the cervix is already accompanied by painful sensations, naturally, I want it to pass as soon as possible. So, how to speed up the process of opening the uterus before childbirth?

1. Castor oil. Taking this drug helps stimulate labor. In addition to having a laxative effect, it also stimulates uterine contractions and cervical dilatation. But you need to be extremely careful with him, in the early stages of opening the neck, he may not work.
2. Herbal remedies. The effectiveness of taking, for example, a decoction of raspberry leaves or suppositories with belladonna extract, has not been proven. But the good thing is that they are at least harmless.
3. Warm bath. Helps to relax muscles and relieve tone, which makessoft neck. But this method is unacceptable in cases where the mucous plug and water have already departed.

Inpatient stimulation

Very often cervical dilatation stimulation is performed in a hospital setting. In such cases, various medications are used to promote the maturation of the cervix. An obstetrician-gynecologist is engaged in how to speed up the process of childbirth in a hospital, of course, these tools and techniques are much more effective than speeding up at home. So what do doctors use?

1. Kelp sticks. Dried seaweed in the form of sticks is injected into the ajar cervix, and under the influence of moisture they increase in size and thereby open the uterus.
2. Balloon expansion. A special balloon is inserted into the canal and the cervix is inflated with air or liquid.
3. Prostaglandins. Can be used as intravenous drips, vaginal gels, suppositories or tablets. They successfully accelerate the maturation of the cervix. By the way, these same prostaglandins are found in semen. That is why doctors recommend having sex to speed up labor.
4. Hormonal drugs. Not so fast. After admission, labor can begin in 2 days.
5. Manual opening. This operation is performed by a doctor if the uterus contracts well, but the cervix does not open well.
6. Amniotomy. In the common people, this is called a puncture of the fetal bladder. Usually, contractions begin immediately after these manipulations.
7. Oxytocin. Enter intravenously in the form of a dropper. The hormone provokes uterine contractions, and therefore labor.

Contraindications for stimulation

As with any rule, there are exceptions to stimulation. You should not even think about how to speed up the process of childbirth if:

• Elective caesarean section scheduled;
• you have a narrow pelvis;
• there is a scar on the uterus from previous operations;
• there is an incorrect presentation of the fetus;
• diagnosed with placenta previa;
• has placental abruption;
• have infectious diseases of the reproductive system;
• you have diseases of the cardiovascular and genitourinary system.

In all these cases, the process of childbirth must proceed under the supervision of a doctor, therefore, self-acceleration of childbirth is strictly prohibited. The life and he alth of the baby may depend on this.

Speeding up labor at home

So, if your pregnancy proceeded without complications and your baby is absolutely he althy and ready to be born, then you can safely prepare him for this. You can speed up the process of childbirth at home by the following methods:

1. Hiking. They must be included in your daily routine and done daily. Physical activity and fresh air will contribute to a more rapid onset of the birth process. However, it should be borne in mind that it is better not to walk on your own for such a long time. Connect your husband, girlfriend or mother to this process.
2. Climbing stairs. This can also help to start labor faster. Just skip the elevator. In this way, you will train your muscles and respiratory apparatus, which will undoubtedly help you in the process of childbirth.
3. Swimming. Also applies to methods of stimulating labor. In addition, water will help you get rid of the pain in your back and lower back that has been growing in recent weeks.
4. Sex. It is better if it ends with an orgasm in a woman. This helps not only to be distracted and relieve tension, but also to speed up the moment of onset of childbirth. The partner's semen contains substances that soften the cervix and facilitate its opening. While orgasm helps the contraction of the uterine muscles. However, it should be noted that this method is unacceptable if the mucous plug has already departed. In this case, it is fraught with infection of the fetus.

These methods are safe, even the obstetrician-gynecologist himself can advise you on them.

39th week

Methods of stimulation of labor activity are recommended starting from 39 weeks. As we have already mentioned, the baby may be ready to be born at 38 weeks, but if you do not know exactly when the conception occurred, then be patient for another week before you start rushing the baby.

So, how to speed up the birth process at 39 weeks? The above methods are also suitable for this period. However, there are a few more recommendations:

1. Nipple and breast massage. This method promotes the production of oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract. To youit will also come in very handy when you put your baby to the breast after giving birth. This will not only speed up the onset of labor, but also prepare your breasts for the start of feeding.
2. House cleaning. We combine the useful with the useful. Of course, everything should be within reason, you should not move cabinets or lift weights. It is enough just to move more in the cleaning process. For example, you can mop floors without a mop by squatting.
3. Fitball. If you have a large fitness ball at home, then you are incredibly lucky. Jumping on this device increases blood flow to the pelvic organs, including the uterus. This method is used even directly in maternity hospitals.

40th week

What to do if you have already washed all the floors in the apartment a hundred times, and you have sex with your husband more often than before pregnancy, and childbirth still does not begin? Then we try other methods, how to speed up the birth process at the 40th week. Here are some of them:

1. Laxative. Acceptance of permitted drugs has a stimulating effect on the walls of the intestines, and, accordingly, the uterus. Thus, you can not only speed up the onset of the birth process, but also prepare for it by emptying your intestines.
2. Easy gymnastics. Simple physical exercises saturate the body with oxygen and increase blood flow to the uterus. Squats will be especially effective. When performing them, we spread our legs to the sides, and we ourselves hold on to something with our hands. It is better to do the exercises in the presence of a husband or mother, as youhelp may be needed.
3. Kegel exercises. Their implementation is also necessary to prepare the muscles of the uterus and facilitate the process of childbirth. It is recommended to perform up to 100 times a day.