In the early morning hours of a snowy January day, after 17 minutes at the hospital and two very satisfying pushes, my husband and I welcomed a tiny, perfect daughter into the world. My heart filled with love, pride and an overwhelming sense of relief.
At 32 weeks gestation we had a scheduled growth ultrasound to check our daughter's progress in the womb, and to double check a foot that appeared to be turned in, earlier at our 20 week ultrasound. What we found, was that our daughter was small for gestational age. What cannot be determined in these cases is why? Was my placenta not functioning optimally as the neonatologist suggested as a cause, was there a knot in the cord? I knew it wasn't from the other three common causes; smoking, drinking or malnutrition. Perhaps, suggested my non-medical sister, it's a little girl who is "just nipped in at the waist", as it turns out, my sister spears to have been right!
The neonatologist told me not to be alarmed, chances were the baby was fine, but she didn't want me to gestate past 38 weeks. My heart sank. I'm a big advocate of natural childbirth. I believe birth should follow a natural progression, allowing for nature to take its course unless the well being of babe or mama is at a measurable risk. I went home and researched everything I could do as a naturopathic doctor to help my baby grow; I enlisted the help, support and advice of friends and colleagues. Over the next two weeks she grew twice as much as "expected", and continued to show that trend at the 37 week check up as well. At our 37 week check up the neonatologist said she didn't need to see us again, and she no longer suggested induction before the baby reached term.
From 38 weeks gestation until she was born on her own timeline at 40 weeks and three days I was given a lot of pressure at weekly visits with my obstetrician gynecologist to induce labor, just in case. Just in case me being of advanced maternal age put the fetus at risk, just in case her small size made her more susceptible to fetal death, just in case a protein in my serum indicated an unknown issue with her physiology. Wouldn't I rather have her now, when we knew everything was fine, versus waiting for something to go wrong? I resisted. Instead I wanted her to be born when the incredibly intricate interplay of hormones and physiology brought her earth side naturally. Throughout these weeks we continued to follow her growth, fetal blood flow and do ultrasound profiles to determine her well being. I also started using naturopathic means to gently encourage her earth side.
"Naturopathic induction", unlike medical induction will not mechanically or hormonally start labor; rather it will encourage nature to take its course.
The following is a discussion of possible methods I would use when helping to encourage a labor to begin. During weeks 38 through to my babe’s birth, I employed them all.
Acupuncture is usually my first tool of choice when working with mothers who are ready to birth. I choose points according to the individual aspects of the case presenting, as well as a classic combination of points used traditionally to move energy downwards, calm the nervous system and help to "open” the musculature in the pelvic floor. I try to do acupuncture for about thirty minutes for three days in a row.
Prostaglandins are tiny fatty compounds in our bodies that have hormone like action. We know that prostaglandins help to ready the cervix for effacement (opening and thinning); semen is high in prostaglandins, as is evening primrose oil. I recommend lots of intimacy, as well as oral and topical application of evening primrose oil to help support the action of the bodies own prostaglandin synthesis .
Many natural childbirth educators also advocate intimacy for its promotion of relaxation, and feelings of security, which can also help to release any extra tension in the pelvic floor. I should also mention nipple stimulation here, which can be done manually or with a great pump, continuous stimulation for 20 minutes at a time several times per day may start contractions due to oxytocin release.
Homeopathy can also be used to help encourage the baby to move into a position of optimal engagement; head down, back to moms belly, chin to its chest, arms at side. The right remedy can also help mom stay relaxed and ready.
Castor oil is a laxative herb that really stimulates the bowels to start moving. This technique is the most often referred to "home remedy" for labor induction. It is thought that by stimulating the bowels into action, the uterus may also be stimulated into action, causing contractions to start with hours of drinking a castor oil "milkshake".
Herbal medicines such as black cohosh, blue cohosh and partridge berry also have a long history traditional use. There is some research that shows these herbs can cause harm if not used sparingly and correctly, so I do not recommend their use outside of professional supervision. Red raspberry leaf tea, on the other hand should be taken as often as possible from week 34 onward to help support the uterus for effective contractions.
Walking and other physical modalities are also very helpful for relaxation and proper positioning. I had a fantastic osteopathic treatment by Annabelle Gaudet from the
Clinic Jaune in Shediac
the week before my labor, as well as my first rebozo treatment by traditional birth attendant Lisa Leblanc the night before I went into labor.
In retrospect, it is impossible to know if any of these treatments helped to hasten my labor. I birthed my son at almost the exact same point in gestation without any medical or naturopathic induction. Her birth was faster, less painful, and "smoother", but again, that could be because it was my second child and she was so tiny. In the end I'll never know. I can remain happy and confident that I made the right decisions for my family. Once babe is in our arms, none of us really need to focus on anything else, do we?
