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Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

Some women think pregnancy is a long process during which they can’t do things they used to and can’t have fun. But stop thinking about that and enjoy your pregnancy — the most incredible nine months of your life. Morning sickness and fatigue are one of the main problems so in order not to make them torture you, we suggest you five funny things you can do before your baby’s arrival and make this period amazing and unforgettable. :)

1. Shopping is what almost all women are fond of, hereby go out, enjoy the weather and start buying. This shopping is original because you will not buy something for your baby, but just for you. Why do women think if they are pregnant they have to wear only everything comfortable? Why do they forget about beautiful and fashionable clothes? You can be glamorous even when you are pregnant, so use your fantasy and do the crazy shopping.
2. You look in the mirror and… and something doesn’t satisfy you. So what? Are you sure crying or your being upset will change anything? Never! Act — this is what you should do! Go to hairdresser; this is an original experience that makes every woman feel better. Hairstyle changing is what will help you out the gloomy mood.
3. What do you think about professional photos during pregnancy? Creative photos will lift your spirits and keep them high. To make the pictures complete ask your husband to join you – and there you go, you’ll have your first “complete family” pictures.
4. Every feeling during pregnancy is something you will never forget, but to make it even more interesting, start keeping a pregnancy diary. You can even title it “My Pregnant Diary.” Make notes of everything that makes you smile, later is a great way to cheer you p once you feel down. That way you will kind of entertain yourself, at the same time entertaining the baby.
5. Organize picnics with friends or relatives and enjoy warm family-friendly atmosphere, besides being close to the Nature is important for you. You can breathe fresh air, listen to lively singing of birds and enjoy your day with the most loved people.

These are just five funny things we think you can do to make your nine months nice and enjoyable, but your fantasy can be bigger, so try to imagine and do things that will make you even happier during the pregnancy.

Photo credits to 1

You are pregnant and you definitely want to eat as much as possible starting from sweets to different sandwiches, right? But it’s very important to be careful and to concentrate on how many pounds you gain during pregnancy. It’s not necessary to eat for two, it’s just a must to gain more calories than you used to. If you gain the right amount of your weight, you will protect both you and your child. If you don’t follow it, you can have different problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Each day pregnant women usually need around 300 extra calories, thus you can drink, for example, milk or have a healthy snack to get them.

If you want to know how much weight you must gain while pregnant, check your Body Mass Index before being pregnant. If you start your pregnancy at a healthy weight (when you check your BMI, the doctor will let you know about this) you should get 25-35 pounds during the nine months. If you are underweight at the start of your pregnancy, you will need to gain a little more than women who have healthy weight.

If you are overweight at the start of your pregnancy, you should gain only 15-25 pounds during the nine months. Even if you have gained more weight than you needed, don’t try to lose it doing physical exercises or keeping diets. Be most attentive.

What about women who are going to have twins? If you have a healthy weight at the start of your pregnancy, then you can gain between 37-54 pounds during the nine months. But if you are overweight, you should gain 31-50 pounds.

Remember, the best way to gain weight is doing it slowly. Healthy meal is very important during these amazing nine months, thus be attentive to what you eat. Every day breakfast with butter or cheese can be very useful. Go for yogurt and fresh fruit juice in the morning. Fish food is also very healthy, so I hope you love  delicious marine foods.

Avoid fast food! It’s very dangerous.

It will be very useful for you (if your care provider thinks you are healthy enough) to burn extra calories by means of physical exercises. Walking or even swimming can be not only safe but also useful for you and the baby. But be sure to talk to your doctor before starting these exercises.

And lastly, pay too much attention to your organism during these nine months and follow these steps, which will help you have a healthy child.

Photos credits to 1

Pregnancy is a period of amazing nine months during which mothers spend most of their time on looking for beautiful names for their baby and buying every little detail to make their babies’ childhood unforgettable and wonderful.

But pregnancy period is not a process, which always goes smooth and problem-free. Future mothers can face various problems, thus for them it is a must to know how to solve them. I know many women interested in whether it’s OK to travel while pregnant or not. So today we’ll talk about how safe it is to travel during pregnancy. We’ll also offer you points to make your travel both safe and enjoyable.

The perfect time to travel is the second trimester because during the first one different symptoms like morning sickness (nausea) can occur. Third trimester travels are not a good idea as well, because they make you tired and exhausted — it’s not safe.

Everyone is an individual, so the pregnancy is individual too. To avoid problems, right before traveling consult your healthcare doctor to learn if  you have any medical problems to worry about or not. Your doctor will tell you if it’s normal to travel or no. This is what you should do by all means because sometimes a woman needs to be under the strong and constant control to deliver a healthy baby as well as avoid possible difficulties.

During travel take all documents related to pregnancy (all the prenatal tests) — this way you will be prepared in case of emergency and you’ll get right medical help at the right time without delays, which can occur because of lack of your pregnancy test history. Make sure you take the medications you need — there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to find the pills and vitamins you use in the other country. If you want to protect the growing baby, you must also take into account that not using seat belts can be too dangerous for both of you. Hereby, no matter you’re traveling by car, train or airplane use the belts.

Air travel

If your pregnancy is normal and there are no any difficulties, air travel is the safest one. The period between 14 to 27 weeks is an ideal time for travels, because you won’t suffer from morning sickness anymore and you will feel much more comfortable. But, be attentive not to fly after the 36th week. Many airlines even don’t let women travel at the end of the pregnancy because it’s a big responsibility and risk.

Car Travel

Though car travel might seem scary, traveling by car is also normal. You just need to follow certain safety steps. Wear the seat belts, especially if you are sitting near the driver. Pregnant women always need fresh air, so keep the window open so that fresh air goes in. If it’s cold outside, at least make sure the window is half open. And very importantly, if you want to avoid the possibility of feeling nausea, concentrate on the horizon or on a subject far away.

Train Travel

If you ask me which the safest way of travel is, I’ll answer “travel by train.” It’s not only safe, but also comfortable. You are allowed to walk in the train enjoying the freedom of your movements. If you feel fatigue, you can go and lie. Travel by train also gives an opportunity to enjoy the glaring view from the window. To make it complete you can listen to relaxing or favorite music/songs. You can also read a book about pregnancy and get more informed about the pleasant “situation” you are in. : )

You know, I see no reason to say “no travel” during pregnancy, this, of course, refers to the second trimester pregnancy. Follow all the steps correctly, and you’ll both feel happy and perfect. Travels always bring good emotions and feelings, so why not travel while your baby’s still on his way to this beautiful world? I believe he’ll love it too. So enjoy the most incredible nine months of your life in every possible way, including by travels.

Photos credits to 1

Let’s face it: babies are expensive. The first few years of a child’s life, in particular, can really put a strain on your wallet. In fact, before a baby is even born, it’s common for the parents to have spent thousands of dollars on clothing, furniture, medical check-ups and special classes.

If you’re thinking ahead and trying to figure out how you can save money during your pregnancy, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five simple tips that can help you make sure that your baby doesn’t bankrupt you:

1. Shop smart. Having a baby is really exciting and many moms-to-be allow themselves to be overcome by the excitement. There is so much to buy! Maternity clothes, baby clothes, baby furniture, baby accessories, etc. You don’t need to buy everything at once; remember, you have nine months to plan for the arrival of your child. Make a budget and shop around for the best prices. Look for sales and check out online stores to see if they have better prices than you can find at the mall. Most importantly, don’t go overboard and buy things that you don’t need.
2. Ask around for used items. Do you have friends or family members who’ve already had children? Chances are they have a bunch of lightly-used baby clothing, baby toys and other baby accessories that they would be happy to pass on to you. There’s no shame in accepting used items and one day you’ll have the pleasure of passing things on to another family.
3. Go to the library. There’s no need to buy books and magazines about being pregnant; just head to your local library. From medical textbooks on what pregnancy symptoms you should expect to pamphlets on how to arrange your baby’s bedroom for maximum fengshui, you’ll find hundreds of great resources about all aspects of having a baby at the library. Best of all, everything is free!
4. Plan to breastfeed. Not only does breast milk provide your baby with all the nutrition he or she needs, it’s free! Baby formula can be very expensive and bottles aren’t cheap, either. Some women are unable to breastfeed their children due to medical reasons, but most face no impediments. The best way to save money after your baby is born is to breastfeed.
5. Consider re-usable diapers. The idea of re-usable diapers is off-putting to many moms-to-be. Soiled diapers are, understandably, unpleasant and it’s convenient to throw them away rather than worry about washing them. Disposable diapers can be very expensive, though. In fact, some women save as much as $1,000 a year by using re-usable diapers.

Being pregnant in the summer can be a real ordeal because the heat and humidity can exacerbate normal pregnancy symptoms such as tiredness, swelling and itchy skin.

Overheating during pregnancy also can affect your unborn baby. He doesn’t have a temperature control system and relies on you keeping cool to keep him cool. There’s evidence that if your core body temperature is high it may raise your baby’s risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Your midwife will probably advise you to avoid hot tubs, saunas, and sunbathing during your pregnancy.

Here’s our roundup of what to expect if you’re pregnant during the summer months:

Itchy skin

As your bump grows and stretches the skin of your abdomen you’ll likely notice your skin feels tight and itches. You may also feel itchy in other areas where your skin is stretched, such as your breasts and thighs, particularly if you gain excess weight during your pregnancy. The summer heat can exacerbate this by drying out your skin still further. Drinking plenty of fluids (preferably water – avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee as these deplete your body of water) will help alleviate the dryness and you also should slather on lots of moisturiser after your shower or bathe.

When your skin is particularly itchy, soaking in a tepid bath with baking soda added to the water can help. Your midwife may be able to suggest a safe over-the-counter anti-itching treatment.

If you feel that your itching is excessive, especially towards the end of your pregnancy, and you are experiencing itching on the palms of your hands tell your midwife immediately as this can be a sign of a pregnancy condition called cholestasis, which could harm your baby.

Discoloured skin

Pregnancy hormones can affect your skin, ramping up the effects of melanin, which is the pigment that gives skin its colour and is responsible for tanning and the development of freckles – you may notice that your nipples become darker and that you develop a patch of darker skin on your face. Officially called melasma, this effect also is known as the butterfly mask because it tends to take the shape of butterfly wings. It’s especially common in darker skinned women and women with dark-coloured hair but don’t panic if you get it – it fades after your baby is born. Many women also often develop a dark line, called the linea nigra, down the centre of their abdomen.

If you’re pregnant in the summer, exposing your skin to the sun can increase these skin changes and discolouration, so it’s even more vital to protect your skin from the sun’s rays. If you can, avoid being in the sun between the hours of 10am and 4pm, and if you do have to go out use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and wear a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection.

Swelling

In pregnancy the amount of fluid in your body increases in order that your body can produce amniotic fluid and also that it has extra blood volume to carry oxygen and nutrients through the placenta to your growing baby, as well as remove his waste products from your system.

This increased fluid can result in oedema – swelling – which you’ll notice mainly in your hands, ankles and feet, since it’s harder for the extra blood to flow upwards. Summer humidity can make swelling worse because extra moisture in the air makes it difficult for your body to cool itself.

Avoiding standing or sitting for long periods can help, as can elevating your hands and feet higher than your heart whenever you can, but if the swelling isn’t alleviated be sure to tell your GP or midwife. Swelling also can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a potentially serious pregnancy condition that is particularly common after week 20. Other symptoms include headaches and visual disturbances and it’s one of the reasons why your midwife checks for signs of swelling and also checks your urine for the presence of protein (another symptom) at each antenatal check.

If your work means you have to spend a lot of time on your feet, try to elevate your feet at every break. Take the precaution of removing any rings that might be rendered too tight as your fingers swell.

Dehydration

While your fluid volume increases in pregnancy, you’re still at risk of dehydration and this can be worsened by the fact that you’ll be perspiring in order to cool down. Dehydration can be very harmful to your unborn baby because it can increase his heart rate and raise the risk of preterm labour. If you notice he isn’t as active as usual, contact your GP or midwife straight away, especially if you’ve been noticing signs of dehydration (excessive thirst, constipation, fatigue).

Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of water, limit your time outdoors in the sun and heat if possible, and use a fan to keep you cool at your desk or in your home. Avoid eating salty food and snacks, as high sodium levels leech fluid from the body.

Most couples assume that once they’ve had one child, they’ll have no problems conceiving another. Unfortunately this is not true and for many couples it can be pretty frustrating to discover you’re not pregnant month after month.

Reasons for Secondary Infertility tend to be the same as primary infertility although varying factors may have changed since your last pregnancy. You may have gained weight, had an infection, or are eating fewer healthy foods. These might seem like small factors but can all contribute to your reproductive health. You may also be stressed, (this is probably the case if you have a boisterous two year old to deal with) something which can cause many couples to be unable to reproduce especially since experts believe you are more likely to conceive when relaxed. The other factor can be sex. Having a toddler run into your room when you least expect can dampen your efforts at baby-making, coupled with tiredness, means you probably have had less sex this time round than when you were baby-making with your first baby.

Age – At least one factor changes by the time you start considering a second pregnancy and that is your age. More women are leaving having their first baby until their early thirties, which means by the time they want a second they may be in their late thirties or early forties. Women are most fertile between the ages of 20-24 years and by age 35 a woman is half as fertile as when she was 25. If you haven’t fallen pregnant after six months of trying it is advisable to make an appointment with your GP.

Couple Factor - Another factor in Secondary Infertility is the introduction of a new partner. Where you were previously able to conceive with a different partner, you may have problems with a new one. And remember, a problem can lie with the man’s fertility, the woman’s fertility or both. If you think this is the case, make an appointment with your GP who can refer you to a fertility clinic for more testing.

Timescale – Just because it took you a week to conceive last time, does nto mean that it will happen again. You are older, more stressed and have a child to look after so lots of things have changed this time. Do not judge when to conceive on the last time you fell pregnant, as it will invariably take longer. Try to set yourself a realistic timescale. It might be worth discussing your concerns with a GP or fertility expert who can look at your individual situation and give you a realistic timescale to work with. See How long will it take to get pregnant for more help.

Consider other options
If enough time has passed and you are still not pregnant and your fertility problems seem to be unexplained it might be worth considering other paths to look at. Going to a fertility clinic can help, but so can taking steps to ensure you are eating the right foods, staying healthy and making sure your lifestyle is ready for another baby. Lots of complementary therapies can help to improve issues such as irregular cycles or hormonal imbalances which can decrease your chances of getting pregnant.

Experiencing secondary infertility is an emotional experience for both men and women, and also for the child or children you already have. Even if they are young they are sure to pick up on some of your emotions. Sometimes couples in this situation will think about assisted conception such as IVF.

Nothing spreads holiday cheer quite like a festive drink. But I’m pregnant, I hear you cry! Well you don’t have to miss out on the fun just because you’re an expectant mum. Obviously you will need to steer clear of alcohol, but there are plenty of recipes for non-alcoholic drinks which you can indulge in this holiday season. So grab a cocktail shaker, your favorite glasses and get creative in the kitchen!

Non-alcoholic Sex on the Beach:

If you’re rather partial to a tropical drink, you could celebrate the holidays with this fabulous non-alcoholic version of Sex on the Beach! For this drink you will need one large shot of peach juice (approximately 50ml), three large shots of pineapple juice, three large shots of orange juice and the juice from half of a squeezed lime. Add all of these liquids to a cocktail shaker that is filled half way with ice. Shake up the mixture and strain it into a highball glass that is filled with ice. Top off the drink by placing a lime wedge, orange slice, or strawberry on the rim of the glass.

Virgin Mary:

Perhaps a Bloody Mary is usually your drink of preference? Well this Christmas you can opt for an alcohol-free Virgin Mary instead. To make this concoction you will need 300ml of tomato juice, a dash of Tabasco (optional), 2-3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce, a teaspoon of horseradish sauce, the juice from a quarter of a squeezed lemon and a pinch of salt and pepper into a cocktail shaker that is filled up halfway with ice. Shake up the mixture and then strain it into a highball glass that is filled with ice. Place a small stick of celery in your drink for the finishing touch!

Non-alcoholic mojito:

If it is an enticingly minty drink that you are after then you can whip up a non-alcoholic Mojito. For this beverage you will need two ounces of fizzy water, three fresh mint sprigs, two teaspoons of sugar and three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Mix all of these ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Stir up the concoction and then pour into a fun shaped glass. To add a little flair to this drink you can dip the top of the glass in lemon juice and then into sugar, creating a sugar-rimmed glass. For the finishing touches add a lemon and maybe a fun tropical umbrella and you’re ready to party!

Warm winter punch:

Get the chill out of the winter season with this warm winter punch recipe! The ingredients you will need to include are one pint of apple juice, half a pint of orange juice, one tablespoon of lemon juice, two tablespoons of honey, and two teaspoons of ground cinnamon. To prepare this drink, combine the apple and orange juice in a saucepan over medium heat. Once the mixture is steaming hot (not boiling!), remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, honey and cinnamon. Pour into your favorite mugs and serve hot! This holiday drink will be sure to warm you up.

Non-alcoholic mulled wine:

Nothing says Christmas more than Mulled Wine. Though you can’t have the real thing this winter, you can try this great alternative using cranberry juice. The ingredients you will need include 1 liter of cranberry juice, one stick of cinnamon and one small orange. Pour the cranberry juice into a pan. Break the cinnamon stick in half. Peel and dice up the orange, then add the cinnamon and orange pieces into the mixture. Warm the concoction over a low heat for 8-10 minutes. Be careful not to boil the mixture. When it is heated through, serve out for all to share in the holiday spirit!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !!!

Most women develop stretch marks during pregnancy almost 90% except for those very lucky few that we all envy. The abdomen is the most effected but stretch marks can occur on the hips, thighs and breasts basically every area that will enlarge over the nine month period of pregnancy. These are caused by the tearing of skin cells within the tissue of the skin where collagen has separated from the skin causing scarring. The color of stretch marks depends on your skin color but new stretch marks start out purple or pink and then fade into whiter marks after time.

The separation of the collagen from your skin causing these scars is due to a lack of elasticity in the skin, the amount of elasticity is usually down to genetics and it is those that don’t get stretch marks that have the coveted elastic skin that snaps back into place after being stretched out. Lotions and creams can help with the prevention of stretch marks but realistically they won’t make a huge impact they will probably just lessen the damage basically if your mother was prone to stretch marks then you probably are too.

There is no scientific evidence to prove that buying all these magic lotions and potions to prevent stretch marks will work. Keeping the skin well moistened will help limited the damage but it really is the genetic make up of your skin that will dictate the outcome. If you got stretch marks on your breasts or hips during puberty then the chances are your skin is not very elastic and you will get stretch marks during your pregnancy. So there are some things that you can do to limit the amount and severity of stretch marks you get.

Firstly while you are planning to get pregnant you should be taking supplements to help strengthen your skin and improve the elasticity of your skin. Vitamin E and D are very important here also take a good fish oil supplement to keep skin well oiled inside as well as out. Use coca butter all over your body daily there is no need for expensive brands and lotions as the idea is too keep the skin well lubricated to minimize the scaring. Number one; do not gain any more then the recommended amount during the pregnancy the more you grow the more you will stretch. Do not use your pregnancy as an excuse to eat what you like it is recommended that you eat an additional 300 calories per day only.

Don’t worry too much about stretch marks though, follow the steps above to ensure yourself that you have done your best to limit the damage and if they do occur then you’re just like 90% of mothers and its completely common and normal. If they are too severe and you’re really unhappy about them then there is treatments available post pregnancy that has a major effect on minimalising stretch mark scarring. Laser treatments are increasing in popularity due to the wonderful results women are getting on their skin from all types of scarring but mainly stretch marks. It is a non invasive procedure that can be done in sessions that last up to one hour. The number of sessions varies depending on the severity of the problem and the cost depends on how many sessions you endure but it

Miscarriages are when the pregnancy terminates before the sixth month and are estimated to occur in about 10 to 20 per cent of pregnancies. It is hard to find an exact figure because many women miscarry before they even realise they are pregnant, and pass it off as a very heavy period.

The majority of miscarriages happen in the first three months of pregnancy and affect about one in five pregnancies. At least half of all miscarriages in the first trimester are caused by chromosomal abnormalities, which prevent the foetus from developing normally. Later miscarriage, usually in the second trimester, is more likely to be a result of the placenta not functioning properly.

The symptoms of miscarriage are vaginal bleeding accompanied by lower backache and severe stomach cramps, a bit like period pain.
Lots of women experience vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy and go on to have a normal pregnancy and healthy baby. Experts are not sure why this happens, but it affects roughly one in four women.

Once the uterus starts to expel the pregnancy there is little that can be done to save it. An ultrasound will probably be required to establish what stage you are at, or if you are miscarrying at all. You will either have an external ultrasound where a transducer (looks a bit like a microphone) is placed on your lower abdomen. If the pregnancy is very early you may have to have an internal ultrasound where a probe is inserted into your vagina. Neither procedure hurts or is harmful to your baby.

There are three types of miscarriage:

• A complete miscarriage, where the uterus expels the foetus and placenta entirely, and an ultrasound scan shows that the uterus is completely empty.
• A missed miscarriage, where the foetus and placenta die but remain in the mother’s womb for some time before being expelled. There might be very minor symptoms such as a brownish discharge. An ultrasound can check whether the foetus’ heart has stopped beating, or for an empty sac inside the uterus.
• An incomplete miscarriage, where a miscarriage happens but some of the products of conception are left inside the mother.

What treatment will I receive if I miscarry?

If you start to bleed at any time during the second or third trimester, call your maternity unit and go there as soon as possible. If you are bleeding in your first trimester, call your doctor and stop any sexual activities and exercise. Your doctor will probably refer you to an early pregnancy unit at the hospital, or gynaecological department, and you will be given an ultrasound to see whether a miscarriage is imminent.

If a miscarriage is inevitable, there is little doctors can do to stop it. You may be given the option to see if the pregnancy is expelled from your body naturally over the next few days. Most women are offered a procedure known as ERPC (evacuation of retained products of conception) which is a minor operation offered under anaesthetic, to clean out the uterus. It involves dilating the cervix and scraping tissue away from the lining of the uterus. You will probably need a short stay in hospital with this procedure.

Late miscarriage

Experts believe that an incompetent cervix is the cause of 20-25 per cent of miscarriages in the second trimester. It is a condition where the cervix opens under the pressure of the growing baby and can cause miscarriage or premature delivery.
It can be caused by a genetically weak cervix, damage during a previously difficult birth, previous surgery on the cervix, and a cone biopsy for surgical cancer or laser therapy.

How will I know if I have an incompetent cervix?

It is usually diagnosed if a woman has previously had a miscarriage in her second trimester, or through internal examinations and ultrasound.

What is the treatment?

The treatment for an incompetent cervix is a procedure that sews the cervix closed to reinforce it. It is usually performed between 12-16 weeks of pregnancy to prevent any problems when you go into labour. The stitches are removed before the estimated delivery date, or as labour starts. The chances of carrying a baby to term with this procedure have proven to be very successful.

If we could choose our ideal birth it would probably be something like this: Water’s breaking on due date at 9am (not all over the bed), labour pains for two hours, comfortable painless journey to the hospital where our partners stay calm, helpful midwife on arrival, get put into the biggest room in the maternity ward with en suite bathroom and birthing pool facility, 20 mins of pushing and your baby emerges with no help from forceps, ventouse, drugs or episiotomies. In reality, birth is very different.

Babies go overdue all the time especially for first time mums. Current research shows that first time mothers gave birth on average five days after their due dates and second time mothers gave birth on average two days after their due dates. The reason that inductions happen is that there is an increase in problems for babies that go beyond 42 weeks. This is because there is a very small percentage of babies who die or who are stillborn when the pregnancy exceeds 42 weeks. Doctors don’t know why this happens but feel that it is safer for the mother and the baby to induce labour before 42 weeks. In most pregnancies labour will start somewhere between 37 and 42 weeks and if you go over your due date you will be monitored very closely and will probably need to have weekly antenatal check-ups.

When and why might I need an induction?
An induction is usually recommended when it is felt your baby is better off outside of the womb than in. This may occur if your pregnancy is over 41 weeks, your waters break but labour does not start (your baby is at risk of infection once the waters break), or if you are suffering from a pregnancy related problem such as Pre-Eclampsia where the only cure for mum and baby is immediate delivery. Other reasons include poor growth of your baby or unexplained bleeding at term.

What happens in an induction?
When labour starts naturally your body makes a hormone called oxytocin which is released into the bloodstream and hormonal changes in the body start the process of labour. Nobody knows what the trigger is that starts labour spontaneously (or doesn’t start in some women) although lots of research has been dedicated to the subject. Inductions are when labour has to be started artificially and a synthetic form of oxytocin is administered to bring on labour.

Membrane Sweep
Once it has been established that you need an induction, you will probably be offered a membrane sweep. A membrane sweep sounds worse than it actually is and involves a midwife inserting two fingers through the cervix and sweeping them around the inside. This releases prostaglandins from the cervix and can help to start contractions. Some women report that it is a little uncomfortable but no more so than a smear test. It is perfectly safe and can be an effective way to start contractions.

Prostaglandin
Your body naturally produces prostaglandin, which stimulates the uterus into contracting, but some women may need prosthetic prostaglandin to help get labour started. Synthetic prostaglandin can be administered by inserting a pessary or gel into the vagina, which softens the cervix. You may need more than one dose of prostaglandin to start contractions at somewhere like six hours later. Lots of prostaglandin doses are given at night so that you can have the second dose when you wake up (and you’ll have had a good night’s sleep before labour starts). The gel or pessary will have to be administered on the antenatal ward because you and your baby will need to be closely monitored.

Artificial rupture of membranes
Often known as AROM. One way of speeding up contractions is to artificially break the bag of membranes which surround your baby and this is known as your waters breaking. Once the bag bursts, the amniotic fluid leaks out and the amount of prostaglandin increases, which speeds labour up. It is done using a long plastic instrument with a hook at one end, during a vaginal examination. It should not be painful, just a little uncomfortable.

Syntocinon
Syntocinon is a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, which makes the uterus contract and can be used once the cervix has softened. It is usually administered using an IV (intravenous line) so you won’t be able to move around as much. You may have to be attached to a foetal monitor, as Syntocinon can over-stimulate the uterus and result in your baby becoming distressed. You and your baby will need close monitoring. You are always given a small dose to start with and the dose will then be increased depending on your contractions and how effective they are. Because you are effectively forcing labour to start, contractions can come very quickly and can be much stronger. You probably won’t have had time to get used to contractions building up over time and this can make contractions feel more painful. Some women will decide to have an epidural with a Syntocinon drip as it can help with the pain.

Emergency caesarean
Sometimes none of these methods will work and an emergency caesarean is required. Read our article about what happens in a caesarean so you are prepared if this has to happen.