This week you may feel beyond ready to get this labor party started. Your care provider may have discussed medical induction, self-induction, or alternative methods such as acupuncture or acupressure. However, we tend to turn away from induction talk and focus instead on baby’s position and whether baby is engaged in the pelvis. These factors figure most prominently in helping labor to begin.

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For example, if your baby is posterior, or “sunny side up,” helping baby rotate to face your right hip (Left Occiput Transverse) may help baby drop into the pelvis (engage). Engaging in posterior may be less helpful for labor progress later. So before starting any induction method, let’s balance your body with the Spinning Babies^® Activities of the Week below. Body balancing helps babies tuck their chin to their chest and get into the anterior or left transverse position so their head is applied to the cervix. Within 24 to 48 hours, labor generally starts.

Once you feel confident you’ve worked to bring baby into position with body balancing — including Chiropractic care — acupuncture and acupressure points are helpful ways to continue preparing the body for birth.

Some self-induction techniques include long walks, circles on the birth ball, castor oil, herbs, homeopathy, and orgasm. I find that a physiological balance between the mind and body are also important. Please consult your provider before trying any self-induction suggestions.