5 ways that mothers can do to launch a labor

What do you imagine when you hear the word 'childbirth'? Scary? Thrilling? Giving birth is certainly an exciting moment for a mother-to-be. The lives of the mother and baby are at stake at this moment. Then what should the mother do to launch the labor?

Various ways to launch labor

Here are some tips that can be done to smooth labor:

1. Decide who will assist

The mother needs someone she trusts to be there during labor. The existence of this companion may be simple, but it is very important.

This is in accordance with a clinical analysis published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology which revealed that, a pregnant woman who was accompanied during labor (including one trained companion) had an impact on reducing the pain that the mother felt after childbirth and speeding up the time it took to give birth.

2. Change positions during labor

Moving between positions during labor while placing the baby gently towards the pelvis can help the mother deal with the strong and painful contractions she will experience.

The pain can even be used by the mother as a guide on where to move, by determining which position makes her feel comfortable.

When mothers can do this, they actually have released the hormone oxytocin, which will later help the labor process.

In addition, moving during childbirth like this can help dilate the pelvis so that eventually the baby's head will be easier to pass.

3. Attend maternity classes

Taking maternity classes will help reduce the anxiety that a mother will feel as you approach the day of delivery. Typical childbirth classes start early in pregnancy.

During that time, the mother will be mentally and physically prepared for the future labor. Maternity classes will usually introduce mothers to:

Changes that the mother will feel and experience during pregnancy
Help the mother determine the appropriate health care provider for her later delivery
Make other decisions that mothers find it difficult to make during pregnancy until delivery
Things that mothers should do during childbirth so that labor runs smoothly, quickly and healthily.

4. Stay active even though you are pregnant

Staying active even though you are pregnant will actually help your labor later. Research conducted by the University of Vermont revealed that pregnant women who exercise 2 to 3 times a week need a shorter labor time than those who just sit on the couch.

If you are not used to exercising, walking for about 15 minutes will also be of great help in labor.

5. Relaxation exercises before childbirth

A study in 2012 revealed that feeling nervous about waiting for delivery can actually prolong the labor process.

This is because when nervous, the hormone oxytocin, which can help the labor process, is disturbed by the presence of the hormone adrenaline, which actually slows down the contraction process.

Therefore, it is highly recommended to practice relaxation during pregnancy. The relaxation strategies that you have practiced will be very helpful in later labor.

During labor you are even allowed to listen to music to get in a calm mood.