How is walking really suppose to help induce labor?
I am just wondering how walking is suppose to induce labor. How much walking should I do to induce the labor? Did the walking really induce your labor? I am just tired and almost 37 weeks and just want the pregnancy over.
The Answer by Doula Kristina :
Walking can definitely increase contractions, but in my opinion won't start actual labor until your body is ready to start labor on its own anyway. It does, however, give you something to do to keep your mind off things. To pass the next few weeks, you can also try relaxation techniques like a warm bath (will help with pain), massage, heat and cold packs. You can also try distracting yourself which can actually temporarily lessen pain - baking, craft projects, housecleaning, visits from friends, and movies are great ways to pass the time. For what it's worth, I've been there - tired of being pregnant and just wanting that baby in my arms already. My take on it is that mother nature made us so uncomfortable in those last few weeks so we'd welcome the pain of labor when it started. Good luck - you are almost there!
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
i don't know if it helps induce it but it helps pass the time - also your body is straight which aligns the birth canal - when you are sitting the baby's head acts like a cork which may hamper the breaking of your water (that's why so many women's breaks at night when they are lying down in bed)
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November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
At 37 weeks you are still a bit soon to be thinking about inducing labor. Walking will help it come along when the time comes but it takes a lot of walking. My doctor had me walking after meals about 30-45 mins a day and it didn't induce but when we went to the fair and walked for several hours, within 24 hours I was in labor.
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November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
the more u walk the beter it will be. it dont help u have the baby. or make the baby came faster it just help u out. ask your dr they will tell u how it helps beter.
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November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
first of all the baby will come wem it wants to and if you have no signs of labor yet walking is not going ot make you immediatly go into labor….
this works if you are already having back pain or pelvis pain and if you are effaced or dialated> of course walking will definetly make labor easier….
walking helps opens up your pelvis…. walking also hels the baby fall into the pelvis cavity…
you know how they say if you drop you are closer to labor? well what makes a poerson actually go into labor is whenthe baby falls into the pelvis cavity…. which walking helps the baby to get their head in place which is the pelvis cavity>
the thing i dont know is how it helps speed up contractions and make you dialate faster…when you are already dialated >for instance like when you are at the hospital and they have you walk the halls to speed things up…. im not sure how that works….
but hey walk walk walk> it will help u one way or another
wether it be in the delivery room or helping you go into labor
good luck!
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36weeks and 4days
and am feeling miserable too! i want it over too:)
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
to my understanding walking is supposed to help you become more dilated then what you are if you are
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November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
hang in there Mom, you are barely at term. Your baby will come when he or she is ready and these last weeks are critical to lung development. I think walking to induce labor is more of an old wives tale. While pregnant with my thrid child I read an article on "old wives tales" for labor induction and walking was one that failed in proof that it works. If you really want to help get things moving then get baby out the way she got in there…yes sex. Semen contains a hormone chemical beleived to cause dialation and at the right moment can help start contractions. Walking during labor however will help progression. The end of pregnancy feels like its taking forever, I know I've done it three times. Evening primrose oil and red raspberry leaf tea are also more effective at getting things going but ti won't work unless baby is ready.
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self induced on evening primrose oil and red raspberry leaf tea, mom to 3
November 30th, 1999 at 12:00 am
Walking can definitely increase contractions, but in my opinion won't start actual labor until your body is ready to start labor on its own anyway. It does, however, give you something to do to keep your mind off things. To pass the next few weeks, you can also try relaxation techniques like a warm bath (will help with pain), massage, heat and cold packs. You can also try distracting yourself which can actually temporarily lessen pain - baking, craft projects, housecleaning, visits from friends, and movies are great ways to pass the time. For what it's worth, I've been there - tired of being pregnant and just wanting that baby in my arms already. My take on it is that mother nature made us so uncomfortable in those last few weeks so we'd welcome the pain of labor when it started. Good luck - you are almost there!
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