Walking and Labor Induction Facts

Women are always looking for a safe and natural way of inducing labor. The due date may just be around the corner and you want to be sure that you are ready. Maybe you have passed the due date and want to go into labor but don’t want to take the drugs that induce labor. Many women have found walking and labor induction a harmonious match.

Walking is something that people have to do everyday nothing could be more natural. However, it is important to be sure that there will be no risks for you or your baby. Be sure that your blood pressure is good; that the baby is in a healthy position and is in good health before you begin walking. This is good advice anytime during your pregnancy.

Any amount of walking could have an effect on labor but if you are really looking for results you want to partake in at least a brisk walk. It is said you need to take at least a 30-minute walk a day the last two weeks of your pregnancy. Take some water so you and your baby can stay hydrated and take a friend just in case it works!

Walking is exercise so it is important that you have the right equipment as when you do any exercising. Buy shoes made for walking. They make sure specifically for this so don’t buy a shoe for running or tennis. The size of your foot could change during pregnancy so make sure any shoes you already have still fit. The actually size of your foot may be the same but the width could have changed. Proper support of your knees and ankles depends on the proper fit of your shoe. The added weight of a pregnancy can put extra stress on your knees and ankles making the need to support them greater.

Don’t make your walk too challenging. If you are close to labor the point of the walk is to induce labor not get a workout. You need to pay attention to your body and the signs that it is giving you. It is important to listen to your body when it tells you that it has had enough. Make sure that you are not too busy navigating obstacles to listen to your body. You also don’t need to take any unnecessary risks. Falling and twisting an ankle is the last thing that you need right now. Try to find a flat and fairly straightforward path so you can concentrate on you walking and not falling.

Doctors will advice you often to wait at least until you reach 38 weeks before walking to induce labor. The concept is that gravity can help do its part in labor when walking. The gently movement of taking a step assisted by gravity can help move the baby down into the birth canal. The force of the baby putting pressure on the cervix will cause it to open. This opening or dilation can cause the body to go into labor. This is what makes walking and labor induction such a good and effective method.