The natural onset of childbirth

The expected delivery date is 40 weeks pregnant. However, it is impossible to determine the exact date of the start of work. It can happen at any time, but it usually starts spontaneously between the 37th and 42nd weeks. It is very variable from one woman to another, and even from one pregnancy to another, since several factors influence the natural onset of birth.

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Factors that influence the natural onset of childbirth

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The position of the baby

The position your baby is in will have a significant impact on the start of your labor. We talk a lot about the first rotation in utero, the one where baby turns upside down. However, your baby still has a long way to go to find the way out. The optimal position is where baby is positioned with his back against your stomach and his gaze towards your buttocks, so as to properly engage and descend into your pelvis by flexing his head. This way, it will be well centered and maximize support at the level of the cervix. Then it will press down and go lower and lower to move your uterus forward. All these movements will have to be done to be born, so the more your baby has an optimal position and is engaged and low, the more likely you are that labor will be triggered naturally.

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The mother's state of mind

The secretion of prostaglandin and oxytocin promotes the onset of labor. These hormones require a state of relaxation and letting go on the part of the mother in order to be secreted optimally in order to trigger labor. The more a woman feels good, calm, confident and in a state of well-being and happiness, the more conducive it will be for the release of the hormones responsible for triggering labor.

When the future mother is stressed, anxious, frightened, exhausted... she instead secretes cortisol, the stress hormone, which plunges into hypervigilance. This hormone then prevents oxytocin from doing its job and instead creates a block to the natural birth process.

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The health status of the mother

It is obvious that women with high-risk pregnancies or who have specific medical conditions requiring medical induction of birth at a specific stage of pregnancy are less likely to have a natural onset of labour than a healthy woman with no problems related to her pregnancy. The more time you give the body, the higher the chances of a natural trigger.

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Tips to promote the natural onset of childbirth

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Taking care of your body during pregnancy

Creating and carrying life is very physically demanding. We often tend to minimize the impact it has on a woman's body. Taking care of your body, honoring it, and pampering it throughout your pregnancy is the greatest gift you can give yourself. And yes, it can help to trigger childbirth at the end of pregnancy. How? Because a healthy body, a rested body, a body without discomfort... it is a body more conducive to relaxation and good hormonal secretion.

It is possible to consult in osteopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, perineal physiotherapy. Each of these professions is complementary to the other and can help you maintain a physical and psychological balance, prevent and relieve certain discomforts and above all, prepare your body for childbirth. In addition, these various professionals can help release ligament and muscular tensions that could possibly create restrictions and prevent your baby from being optimally positioned for delivery.

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Stay active and mobile

Exercising during pregnancy is good for your physical and psychological health and helps prepare your body for birth. It helps maintain the mobility of your pelvis, also helps strengthen your muscles and improve your cardiovascular capacity. Despite what you may think, it is not necessary to do intense physical activities, the important thing is to stay active regularly. Find an activity that you enjoy, that makes you feel good. Need ideas?

- Prenatal yoga or Pilates
- Balloon fitness class
- Specialized low-impact group workouts
- Take steps
- Do swimming/fitness classes

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Have a good prenatal preparation, deconstruct your fears, feel confident

Taking personalized antenatal courses and being accompanied by a perinatal professional (nurse or birth assistant) can promote the natural onset of birth. Indeed, having a good understanding of the physiology of birth and the processes surrounding childbirth greatly helps to deconstruct the fears and stresses associated with childbirth. The more confident you feel, the more your body and mind will be able to release and secrete the hormones needed to start working.

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Do not create expectations, let go

The only thing that is certain is that sooner or later you will give birth to your baby. You don't have control over the “when” or the “how.” Accept this uncertainty, it's a normal part of the process. Learn to trust your body, your baby, and your ability to give birth naturally. Eventually, you will give birth! Let go of the date and avoid creating expectations for it. The best way to successfully let go is to focus on the things you can control.

- Stay active, take care of your body, go to your wellness appointments
- Get as much rest as possible, take naps as needed
- Preparing for your return home (frozen food, baby shopping, etc.)
- Do things that make you happy, that make you feel good (boost oxytocin secretion)
- Do meditation, positive visualization in preparation for childbirth

Finally, there are also several little natural “grandmother's” tricks that have proven their worth over time. For example, eating dates and pineapples at the end of pregnancy can promote the maturation of the cervix and could even possibly help maximize the secretion of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for uterine contractions. Making love could also help trigger labor. In fact, our sexology intern wrote An article on the subject recently, we invite you to read it!