Pregnancy is a blessing. It is the time to rejoice in the creation of a new life. But by the end of the third trimester, most women are ready to hold their baby in their loving arms! Our bodies may be designed to carry a baby, but that doesn’t mean it is all fun and dance. As the time to give birth nears, our body grows bigger and heavier. The smallest of tasks become impossible chores. Sleeping feels like a battle, and the kicks to the ribs can be painful.
For women nearing their due date, labor couldn’t come fast enough. And not to mention women who are already overdue! There are, of course, several medical steps you can take to induce labor. But won’t it be better to let nature do its job?
The whole natural birth movement believes that our bodies instinctively know how to birth, without any medical intervention. Now, we won’t advocate doing without any medical advice. In fact, talking to your doctor is a must before you take any decision regarding your pregnancy.
But there is one thing you can do to bring on labor without worrying too much. Yes, we are talking about squatting and how do squats help induce labor here:
Advantages of Doing Squats To Induce Labor:
Here are some advantages of squatting:
1. The American Pregnancy Association recommends squatting during labor. According to them, squatting can open your pelvic outlet by 10 percent.
2. When you squat to induce labor, it creates more room for the baby to move down into the birth canal.
3. Squatting during the third trimester helps strengthen your leg muscles. Strong legs are a must when it comes to labor and the final push to give birth.
4. According to a study conducted by Gardosi And coUeagues, squatting, the primitive style, can decrease your labor time by 11 minutes (1) ! That’s a long time when you are in active labor.
5. Squatting during pregnancy eases constipation and pressure on the pelvic floor – a blessing during the last few weeks of your pregnancy.
Modern medicine has turned pregnancy into a disease where the women stays tied to the stirrups. But a number of studies show that free movement during labor can make the process of giving birth shorter and easier (2) .With gravity at work, your baby has a better chance of coming out to meet you faster.
How To Squat To Induce Labor:
Squatting is one of the easiest exercises you can try during pregnancy. Here’s a step by step guide to help you:
1. Stand with your feet shoulder length apart.
2. Now lower your body till your hip is just a few inches above the floor.
3. Take care of your balance during the final few weeks of the pregnancy. You can take support of kettlebell or can also ask your husband to help!
4. Make sure your heels lie flat on the floor while squatting.
5. Now rise back again to the original position.
Repeat as many times as you feel comfortable. Just don’t push your body beyond its limit.
Word Of Caution:
Though squatting to induce labor is harmless in most cases, but you need to keep some points in mind.
If your baby is breach, squatting can prove to be harmful. This is because squatting will force her to descend the birth canal without giving her the chance to move into proper position. So talk to your doctor to make sure your baby is head down before you try squatting.
It is also important to discuss other complications with your doctor before you take squats to induce labor.
Squatting is something you can do at any point of your pregnancy. In the beginning, it will help you build a strong core to help carry your baby to term, and later it will help you induce labor. But never depend only on exercise to induce labor if you are overdue. Consult your doctor on how long you can wait for nature to do its work.
