Im 36 and 4 days pregnant, what is the fastest way to dialte my cervix?

Question

I am only 1 cm, I was told on May 1st, 2007, and this is my second child.

Answer 1

Before you proceed, we should warn you that there is very little hard scientific evidence relating to either the effectiveness, or the safety, of any of these methods. The studies that have been done tend to be small and evidence is difficult to verify: if labour is due anyway, how do you know whether it was the curry you ate last night that actually brought it on? On the safety side, talk to your doctor or midwife at your next check up before you try any of these methods. This is particularly important if there are any complications in your pregnancy.

Nipple stimulation

Nipple stimulation is the gentle rubbing or rolling of the nipple to encourage the start of contractions. The theory is that oxytocin, a hormone that causes contractions, is released in the body when the breasts are stimulated.

Is it safe?
Nipple stimulation has been reported to produce very strong contractions and for this reason you should use it with care. However, a study of 719 women found that there were no problems of this sort following nipple stimulation.

Does it work?
The study mentioned above was thought to be too small to draw concrete conclusions from, but did show a significant benefit from nipple stimulation: 37.3 per cent of women who had tried it went into labour within 72 hours as compared to just 6.4 per cent of those who had not.

How do I try it?
The idea is to simulate the suckling of a baby so you need to massage the whole areola (the dark area around the nipple), not just tweak the nipple. Place your palm over the areola and move in a circular motion, applying a firm but gentle pressure. This may need to be continued for some time. The usual recommendation is 15 minutes of continual stimulation on each nipple each hour for several hours.

Castor oil


There are reports of castor oil being used to bring on labour as far back as the Egyptians, though how it works is poorly understood. The most commonly given explanation is that it acts as a powerful laxative, and when it stimulates the gut it also stimulates the uterus and so "kick starts" labour.

Is it safe?
Nausea is likely to be the immediate effect, followed by a bad case of diarrhoea and there is a risk that you will become dehydrated. For this reason, we would NOT recommend taking castor oil.

Does it work?
A study of 100 overdue women found that 57.7% began active labour after a single dose of 60ml of castor oil, as opposed to 4.2% who received no treatment. Another small study found that taking castor oil had no adverse affects on mother or baby. Neither study was of a large enough scale to be conclusive.

How do I try it?
This is one we would NOT recommend but, according to a survey of midwives, 4 fl oz of castor oil mixed with orange juice is the usual dose. It is revolting (very oily) to drink though some suggest that making it fizzy by adding ½ teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda helps. A second dose can be given 12 hours later.

Sex

Sex as means of getting labour started is thought to work in three ways: firstly the movement may help to stimulate the uterus into action; secondly, sex can trigger the release of oxytocin, the 'contraction' hormone; thirdly, semen contains a high concentration of prostaglandins which help to ripen, or soften, the neck of the womb (cervix) ready for it to dilate when labour starts.

Is it safe?
Sex is safe as long as your waters have not broken. Once this has happened, making love may increase the risk of infection. You should also avoid sex if you have a low-lying placenta or have had vaginal bleeding. Men often feel uncomfortable making love to their partners with a baby so obviously in the way but the baby will not know what is happening and will not be harmed.

Does it work?
Not enough studies have been done but, if nothing else, it will take your mind off the waiting.

How do I try it?
At this stage in your pregnancy sex is easier said than done. Try spoons, with your partner entering from behind or use the bed as a prop: your bulge isn't an obstacle if you lie on your back at the side or foot of the bed with your knees bent, and your bottom and feet perched at the edge of the mattress. Your partner can either kneel or stand in front of you. Alternatively, giving your partner oral sex may work better. It is thought that prostaglandins are absorbed more efficiently through the gut than through the vagina. (Note: you may prefer to keep this piece of information to yourself.)

Eating pineapple

Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which is thought to help to soften the cervix and so bring on labour.

Is it safe?
There is very little available research. Each pineapple contains only very small amounts of bromelain so you would need to eat as many as seven to have any effect. The most likely side-effect of eating large amounts of pineapple would be a severe case of the runs.

Does it work?
There is some debate about the role played by bromelain on prostaglandins, which soften the cervix to prepare it for labour. Some studies actually suggest that bromelain inhibits prostaglandin activity while others think the opposite. Regardless of this, eating large quantities of pineapple is likely to stimulate the gut and bowel and, as with castor oil, could kick-start the uterus into action by that means.

How do I try it?
The pineapple must be fresh: bromelain is destroyed by the process of canning or juicing.

Homeopathy

Homoeopathic remedies use highly diluted versions of more potent substances to treat the body. Pulsatilla and Caulophyllum are two commonly used homeopathic remedies used to stimulate labour.

Is it safe?
Homeopathic remedies are very safe. The Faculty of Homeopathy have researched their use in labour and not found any incidents of damage caused by them. The worst damage homeopathy can do is nothing - that is, the wrong remedy has been prescribed and is therefore ineffective.

Does it work?
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence from patients who found that homeopathy is helpful, but this has not been researched in a systematic way. One trial into caulophyllum found no difference between the women who took it and those who didn't, but the method of the trial was not thought to be reliable.

How do I try it?
Contact a registered homeopath (The Society of Homeopaths has a list). A Homeopathic Birth Kit is available from Helios Pharmacy which includes 18 remedies and a mini-guide.

Herbal: blue cohosh and black cohosh

Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosus) are herbs which should not be used in early pregnancy but are often cited as useful in bringing on labour.

Are they safe?
There are no scientific studies available. Many anecdotal reports suggest that they are safe to use in the final stages of pregnancy. However, we have also come across two reports in which the use of each of these herbs during pregnancy may have been a contributing factor to birth defects. Herbals are much stronger than homeopathic remedies and so should always be used under professional guidance. Given that there is a question mark hanging over them, you may decide that it is better to avoid these herbs entirely.

Do they work?
Anecdotal evidence suggests that they do, but there are no scientific studies to back this up.

How do I try them?
The National Institute of Medical Herbalists can help you to locate a qualified, registered herbalist near you.

Eating curry

Spicy food is often suggested as a means of bringing on labour. There are no scientific theories relating to this, but it may be that it stimulates the gut and bowel and so encourages the uterus to get going by that means.

Is it safe?
Spicy foods can cause heartburn and, if you are not used to them, irritate the bowel. For this reason you should probably not order a vindaloo if you are usually more of a korma girl.

Does it work?
There is no evidence either way though many women swear by it.

How do I try it?
Order a takeaway. This is not the time to be slaving over a hot stove.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific points of the body. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, this stimulates the energy within the body to restore balance and boost healing.

Is it safe?
Studies into this are limited but all show that acupuncture is safe for mother and baby.

Does it work?
The limited studies that have been carried out so far suggest that acupuncture may be effective. Anecdotally the evidence is much stronger.

How do I try it?
You need to find a qualified practitioner. The British Acupuncture Council has a searchable list. You will probably need treatment daily until you give birth.

Red raspberry leaf

Raspberry leaf can be taken as a tea or in tablet form. It is often mentioned alongside other methods for bringing on labour. This is a myth.

Is it safe?
It is very important not to use raspberry leaves until the last three months of pregnancy because of their stimulating effect on the uterus.

Does it work?
There is no evidence to show that red raspberry leaf will encourage labour to begin. However, an Australian study has shown that it will speed up the second stage of labour and reduce forceps delivery.

How do I try it?
If you want to help to prepare the uterine muscles for labour start with one cup of tea a day or one tablet and build up gradually to a maximum of four cups of tea or tablets daily. The tea can be sipped freely during labour, too. The tea and tablets are available from health food stores or from herbal suppliers.

Walking

The explanation appears to be that the pressure of your baby's head pressing down on the cervix from the inside stimulates the release of oxytocin, hopefully bringing on labour. Also, just being upright gets the forces of gravity working for you, encouraging the baby to move down onto the cervix.

Is it safe?
Yes, but you should be careful not to wear yourself out. Labour can be exhausting and you don't want to use up all your energy before you have begun.

Does it work?
There is, as yet, no evidence. If your baby has not 'dropped' or is still high in the pelvis, walking is thought to encourage your baby into a better position so that labour is more likely to start on its own.

How do I try it?
This is not the moment to take up power walking, particularly if you have not done much exercise earlier on in your pregnancy. A gentle stroll is probably the best you will be able to manage.

And finally:

Here is a selection of other methods (some of them a little bizarre) that other mums are said to have found helpful. There is no evidence for any of these and frankly we are not convinced!

• Blowing up balloons: the theory is that the build up of abdominal pressure encourages labour to start.

• Bouncing on your birth ball or driving your car down a bumpy road would seem to put the same faith in shaking things up a little.

• Get a weepy video and have a good cry.

• Wear your best knickers (sod's law will ensure that your waters break in them).

Answer 2

If they checked your cervix at the hospital then that could be why you are spotting. That's happened to me before after an exam. As for the pain, for me with my last child I started feeling pain in my pelvic area around 36 weeks. It felt like a stabbing pain that came and went really quickly... mostly when I would stand up or get out of bed. My midwife said it was because the baby was lowering into my pelvis. Also, you are 3 days away from being considered full term so your body is getting ready for the baby to come. So you may experience some odd twinges of pain every once and awhile. That is normal. But I still suggest calling your doctor or midwife if you are really concerned.

Answer 3

I answered a similar question below. There are natural ways to bring on labor or ripen your cervix. Labor won't start unless you're ready, though. This is not true when they use Pitocin in the hospital...labor usually starts and it is very harsh.

I personally think that intercourse is one of the best ways to get the cervix ready. If your water hasn't broken, there is no risk at all in doing this. There are several other methods including red rapsberry leaf tea, and believe it or not, nipple stimulation will bring on contractions.

Check my links below.

And take a warm bath. Light candles. Play music. I have a feeling your labor will go quickly with your early dilation once it gets going.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Are you 36 years old, and 4 days preg? or 36 weeks plus 4 days?

Different answers for each question.
If you're 36 weeks, you should wait until your closer to your due date. Take advantage of every moment you can while you dont have the little one yet. When the time gets closer, sperm helps you dialate, so does walking. I'm surprised your Dr didnt tell you.

Answer 5

While I realize that you must be uncomfortable, the best thing for your baby is let it come when it's ready.
In the rare occasion when the baby has really been in the womb too long, a doctor can stimulate the start of labor. I'd check with your doctor before you start fooling around with any "home remedies"!

Answer 6

Some woman go weeks dialated. And others go to the end without being dialated and still go into labour. I was walking around 3cm for a week. I went into labour 38 weeks 3 days.

Answer 7

ok first of all you are not full term yet, so you need to keep that baby inside as long as possible to have a more healthy, and less complicated infant. many women, especially women that are on their 2nd or more pregnancy, can walk around and be 1,2,3, even 4 cm, for weeks, month before delivering. so be patient, it will happen soon, and congrats.

Answer 8

Nothing you can do but wait I'm afraid. Maybe try having sex, the prostaglandins in the semen may help but since you have already started dilating, you will most likely have to let nature take its course on this one. Good luck, and hang in there

Answer 9

my dr said sex helps, warmbaths,walking

Answer 10

easy.....dont rush that child ......she /he will let u know when thier ready......relax sweetie