how does an exercise ball induce labor?
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Gently bouncing on an exercise ball to induce labor not only encourages baby to move down and in turn assist with cervix dilation, but it can also soothe baby, Green says. Sit on the exercise ball, with your legs wide apart, and move your hips up and down.
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['Hold a soft stress ball in your palm.', 'Squeeze it as hard as you can (without causing any pain).', 'Hold the ball tightly for 3 to 5 seconds, and then release.', 'Repeat, working your way up to 10 to 12 repetitions with each hand.']
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Exercising during your pregnancy is safe and healthy. You can do most types of exercise in pregnancy, including running, Pilates, weights, yoga and swimming.
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However, one recent study found that there is a connection between taking castor oil and inducing labor. The study concluded that castor oil may induce labor within 24 hours if a woman is 40 weeks pregnant. Researchers conducted the study using women in their 40th and 41st weeks of pregnancy, over a period of 5 years.
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What's more, nipple and genital stimulation as well as orgasm have been touted as a natural way to increase levels of oxytocin, a hormone produced by your body to trigger labor contractions when you're ready to deliver. Oxytocin is also commonly used by doctors in a synthetic form to induce labor.
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Active labor usually lasts about 4 to 8 hours. It starts when your contractions are regular and your cervix has dilated to 6 centimeters. In active labor: Your contractions get stronger, longer and more painful.
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Gravity plays its part in ensuring that baby's head becomes engaged and starts to do the work required to promote labour. The science suggests that the pressure of baby's head pressing down on the cervix promotes the release of oxytocin, the hormone that stimulates birth.
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Inducing labor should be for medical reasons only. If there are medical reasons to induce your labor, talk to your provider about waiting until at least 39 weeks of pregnancy. This gives your baby the time she needs to grow and develop before birth. Scheduling labor induction should be for medical reasons only.
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Although some women might go into labor while sitting, rotating, or bouncing on a birthing ball, there's no evidence to suggest that these balls can induce labor or break your water.
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['Swimming. Swimming and water aerobics may just be the perfect pregnancy workout. ... ', 'Walking. ... ', 'Running. ... ', 'Ellipticals and stair climbers. ... ', 'Group dance or aerobics classes. ... ', 'Indoor cycling. ... ', 'Kickboxing. ... ', 'High-intensity interval training workouts (HIIT)']
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Braxton Hicks contractions are thought to play a role in toning the uterine muscle in preparation for the birth process. Sometimes Braxton Hicks contractions are referred to as "practice for labor." Braxton Hicks contractions do not result in dilation of the cervix but may have a role in cervical softening.
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Kegel exercises help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and bowels. By strengthening these muscles during your pregnancy, you can develop the ability to relax and control the muscles in preparation for labor and birth.
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Kegel balls, or Ben Wa balls, have been used for centuries to strengthen vaginal and pelvic floor muscles. The small, weighted balls come in a variety of different weights and sizes to help you contract and release different muscles with ease.
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Repeatedly squeezing the egg releases tension and in turn, helps to relieve stress. In addition to the mental benefits, stress balls also boost blood circulation and help with the treatment of carpal-tunnel syndrome and arthritis — and they're used as a tool for meditation too.
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Kegel Exercises During Pregnancy Kegel exercises help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and bowels. By strengthening these muscles during your pregnancy, you can develop the ability to relax and control the muscles in preparation for labor and birth.
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Evidence for Core Strength A study published in a 2015 issue of Human Factors showed that doing pelvic rotation exercises, such as moving front to back or side to side, while sitting on a stability ball is also an effective way to initiate core muscle activation.
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"Some women experience early contractions as a lower back ache or aching legs," said midwife Liz. "A hot water bottle or TENS machine (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation machine) can be helpful to ease these sensations while you wait for labour to start," she added.