How to speed up contractions

7 Natural Ways to Induce Labor

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Medically reviewed by Meredith Wallis, MS, APRN, CNM, IBCLC — By Ashley Marcin on May 13, 2020

Anecdotal evidence suggests that exercise, sex, and eating certain foods may help move labor along. But it’s best to talk with a healthcare professional before attempting to induce labor.

Your due date is an educated guess for when your baby might make its arrival.

While many women deliver perfectly healthy babies 2 weeks before or after this presumed due date, it’s recommended that women wait until at least 39 weeks for delivery.

It’s best to let mother nature decide when your baby comes.

In a 2011 study, 201 women who had recently delivered babies were surveyed about inducing labor at home. Of these women, 50 percent had tried a natural method of getting labor started.

If you’re 40 weeks in, here are seven natural ways to get things moving along.

Most of these methods are anecdotal and don’t have solid evidence that they work, so you should always talk to your healthcare provider before attempting any of these methods.

Your midwife or doctor may not be able to confirm that they work, but they can let you know if it’s safe to try with your pregnancy.

Exercise can be anything that gets the heart rate up, such as a long walk. Even if this method doesn’t work, it’s a great way to relieve stress and keep your body strong for the task ahead.

Theoretically, there are multiple reasons why having sex could induce labor.

For example, sexual activity, especially having an orgasm, can release oxytocin, which may help jumpstart uterine contractions.

Also, for pregnant people who have sex with men, there are prostaglandin hormones in semen that might help ripen the cervix.

Having sex is safe during the final weeks of pregnancy, but you shouldn’t have sex after your water has broken. Doing so can increase your risk for infection.

Stimulating your nipples can cause your uterus to contract and may bring about labor.

Nipple stimulations stimulate oxytocin production. Oxytocin is the hormone that causes the uterus to contract and the breast to eject milk.

In fact, if you choose to breastfeed your baby right after delivery, this same stimulation is what will help your uterus shrink back to its original size.

You or your partner may manually stimulate your nipples, or you can try using a breast pump.

Solidresearch shows that breast stimulation can be an effective way to:

induce and augment labor
avoid a medical induction
reduce rates of postpartum hemorrhage

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years. The exact way that acupuncture works is unclear.

In Chinese Medicine, it’s believed that it balances the chi or vital energy within the body. It might also stimulate changes in hormones or in the nervous system.

Acupuncture should be administered only by a licensed acupuncturist.

In a 2013 randomized trial in Denmark, more than 400 women were given acupuncture, membrane stripping, or both procedures before labor.

Study results showed that acupuncture didn’t decrease the need for induction, but sweeping membranes did.

According to research, the main benefit of acupuncture is increased cervical ripening.

Some practitioners believe that acupressure can help start labor. Prior to applying acupressure to yourself, make sure you get proper instruction from a trained acupressure professional.

If acupressure doesn’t get your labor going, it can still be an excellent way to alleviate pain and discomfort during labor.

Drinking a little bit, like only 1–2 ounces (29.57–59.14 mL) of castor oil stimulates prostaglandin release, which can help ripen the cervix and get labor started.

It’s recommended that this be done under the supervision of a midwife or doctor. People should be careful not to drink too much.

Someresearch shows that eating dates in the final weeks of pregnancy

increases cervical ripening and cervical dilation at the start of labor
decreases the need for Pitocin use during labor

Most pregnant people at 40 weeks are likely ready to have their babies out of their bellies as soon as possible and in their arms.

However, there are plenty of perks to waiting until your body naturally decides to go into labor — including recovery.

Women who weren’t induced typically recover more quickly than those who were. More time in the womb can mean both you and your new baby get to go home from the hospital sooner.

Infants who are born after a full-term pregnancy also experience other benefits. More time in the womb typically means:

more time to build muscle and strength
reduced risk of low blood sugar, infection, and jaundice
improved breathing as infants born even as little as two weeks early can experience twice the number of complications
better feeding once born
increased brain development, with the brain growing a third of its size between weeks 35 and 40

Let your body do the work for a few more days and take the time to get as much rest as you possibly can.

We know, that’s easier said than done when you’re 9 months pregnant. You and your baby will need all your energy soon enough!

Before trying anything that might induce labor, speak with your healthcare provider to go over any risks or possible complications.

Though some of these methods are popular folklore among pregnant women, little scientific evidence supports their efficacy.

In most cases, it’s best to let baby set their own birth date, even if it means waiting another week or two.

Last medically reviewed on May 13, 2020

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How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Anderson BB, et al. (2013). Acupuncture and/or sweeping of the fetal membranes before induction of labor: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial.
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Chaudhry Z, et al. (2011). Women’s use of nonprescribed methods to induce labor: A brief report.
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Demirel G, et al. (2015). The effect of uterine and nipple stimulation on induction with oxytocin and the labor process.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26444882/
Gilad R, et al. (2012). 148: The CIC Trial–castor oil for induction of contractions in post-term pregnancies.
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Kavanagh J, et al. (2005). Breast stimulation for cervical ripening and induction of labour.
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Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020). Labor induction.
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Mishanina E, et al. (2014). Use of labour induction and risk of cesarean delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. DOI:
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Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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May 13, 2020

Written By

Ashley Marcin

Edited By

John Bassham

Medically Reviewed By

Meredith Wallis, MS, APRN, CNM, IBCLC

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Delores Smith-Johnson

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Medically reviewed by Meredith Wallis, MS, APRN, CNM, IBCLC — By Ashley Marcin on May 13, 2020

How To Speed Up Early Labor

Your due date is getting closer, you’ve turned your home into the perfect baby haven, and you can’t wait to meet your baby. But you can’t help but wonder: when will your contractions go from practice contractions to real ones?

You have questions about this next step, and somewhere at the top of the list is how to speed up early labor—which is what we’re here to talk about. But first, let’s cover some basics.

What is Practice Labor?

This is the longest phase of labor, and can last many days or weeks. Expansions (Practice labor contractions, also called Braxton Hicks) are inconsistent, sporadic and mild, generally lasting well under a minute in length. There is no need to “do” anything about it or hurry things along. Your body is wise and knows exactly what it’s doing! If you have any concerns about what’s going on, discuss them with your care provider. Get plenty of rest, eat well, and stay hydrated. If expansions are continuous but inconsistent and unproductive, try The Belly Lift.

Cervix begins to soften and thin (dilation & effacement).
Cervix may dilate anywhere from 0–3 cm.
Cervix may or may not begin to change position from posterior to anterior.
Uterus begins to contract intermittently to “warm-up” for the big day.
Cortisol (a stress hormone) levels rise towards the end of pregnancy, which helps prepare the baby’s lungs for life outside the womb, while also playing a role in beginning the hormonal process of labor.
As a result of this surge of cortisol, you may begin to feel some emotional stress. You may feel irritable, or impatient for labor to begin. You may feel like you’ve been pregnant forever and you can’t stand it anymore.

During practice labor, some women feel suddenly nervous or unprepared, even if they’ve been practicing faithfully.

You may or may not experience frustration with your partner, difficulty concentrating at work, etc. All of these feelings are normal, and are nothing to worry about. You’re getting close to going into labor.

Allow the feelings to come… and then let them go. Continue to focus on practicing your relaxation skills. Anchor your feelings of frustration or irritation to a positive mental thought such as: My baby knows when to be born, and my body knows how to give birth. My baby will be born at exactly the right time.

What is early labor and when will it start?

Early labor is the first stage of “true” labor. When early labor has started, you are on your way to meeting your baby!

A lot of couples worry that they won’t know when the baby is coming; that they’ll go to the hospital too early… or leave home too late. It’s useful to understand the signs of impending labor, so that you know your body is getting ready for the big day.

While the following symptoms are signs of progress, they do not mean that you will go into labor within a few hours or days. They are simply a means of saying that your body is getting ready to give birth. You may want to note the date you experienced any of these signs, or you may take a more relaxed approach and not pay much attention, knowing that labor will begin when you and baby are good and ready!

Signs of Labor may include:

A sudden increase of energy, stress, impatience, irritability caused by catecholamines
The baby engages in the pelvis
An upset stomach
Loose stools
Bloody show (this may be the cervix beginning to open, or from sex or a vaginal exam)
Loss of your mucus plug
Slight increase in blood pressure
Increase in “practice” expansions (commonly called Braxton Hicks contractions)
A persistent crampy feeling, like period cramps
Expansions that get longer, stronger and closer together, forming a pattern for at least an hour

Some women notice most or all of these signs, but others don’t experience any; either way is perfectly normal. You shouldn’t worry if you aren’t; that just means your body is preparing in a different way. The signs of labor may also differ from baby to baby, so what you experienced the first time may not happen the second time.

What's the Difference Between Practice Labor and Early True Labor?

It can be hard to tell if you are experiencing practice labor or “True” labor. Here are some characteristics of each:

Practice Labor

Expansions do not increase in length or intensity over a period of 1-2 hours.
Expansions are erratic, coming at random intervals and lasting for varying lengths of time.
You can walk and talk, or continue your normal activities during expansions.
Expansions diminish or disappear if you change your activity level or position.
May be caused by dehydration: Expansions diminish if you hydrate yourself and relax.

True Labor

Expansions are getting longer, stronger and closer together.
Expansions become rhythmic, forming a predictable pattern which grows.
You feel the need to focus and breathe through your expansions, and no longer want to walk or talk through them.
Expansions remain consistent regardless of activity or position.
Expansions intensify when you hydrate and relax.

Practice labor is a vital part of the birth process! Don’t try to force it into becoming active labor. Your body knows best. Your cervix is softening, your hormones are changing, and your baby is rotating into the best position for birth. Here are some strategies that may help you make the best of your practice labor. It’s a great way to manage early labor, as well. If you’re not sure if it’s real labor or warm-up labor, try the following sequence:

Drink some water, red raspberry leaf tea or coconut water. Dehydration can cause uterine cramping. Just drink to thirst; you don’t need to over-hydrate.
Empty your bladder.
Take a warm, relaxing bath for about 30 minutes. A bit of Epsom Salt can help relax tense muscles. You should be comfortably warm, and not so hot that you begin to sweat a lot.
Drink some more clear fluids, and empty your bladder again.
Lay down on your left side (which optimizes blood flow to your uterus and baby).
Turn on your affirmations or a relaxation track.
Allow yourself to fall asleep and nap as long as you like.

If it’s practice labor, this sequence will probably relax your muscles enough to cause it to slow down or stop. If it’s real labor, it will relax your muscles enough to help labor progress! Either way, you’ve just gotten into a state of deep relaxation, rested your birthing muscles, and replenished your fluids and electrolytes, and that’s always good for a pregnant and birthing mama.

What to expect once labor starts

Release of Membranes (Water Breaking)

This is a definitive sign of labor! In about 2-3 out of 10 births, the membranes release before labor begins. However, most of the time the waters do not release until later in labor, often not until after transition, when mama is getting ready to push. When your water breaks it may be just a constant slow trickle, or a sudden gush. You should notify your care provider when your waters release, and in the event of the following circumstances:

Fluid is not clear, but green or brownish
Fever
If you can see or feel the umbilical cord in the vagina (Get into the knee-chest position and call 911 if this occurs)
Do not place anything inside the vagina after waters have released. Avoid intercourse and vaginal exams

Early Labor

When your body is ready, it will transition from practice labor into early labor (whether or not your water has broken).

“Almost as soon as I got up I started to have this crampy feeling that I’d not yet experienced. It would start, then go away, then start again… I walked, bounced on my birthing ball, did some yoga stretches until I decided to wake my husband. ‘Hey baby…I think I’m in labor. — what, REALLY?’ ... A little after 8 AM I contacted my Doula. We were supposed to have our last pre-natal Doula visit that evening. I guess our dress rehearsal was going to be the real thing.” — Holly

It’s completely normal to think about speeding up labor during this waiting stage, and we’ll talk more about how to speed up early labor below. But this is also a time where you can relax before active labor starts.

When your expansions begin they will be very mild and won’t last very long. You may not even know what’s going on at first, and that’s ok. Your body will tell you when you’re in active labor, and when you need to get to your birth location.

Don’t time your expansions in early labor. Just get in tune with your body, relax and breathe, and listen to your relaxation recordings and music. Drink clear fluids, eat lightly, take a warm bath, and then take a nap. Don’t announce early labor to family or friends, or even post about it on social media. Go about your business and do activities that create calm, peaceful, positive feelings for you.

(Hint: This is the best approach to helping early labor progress most quickly and effectively into active labor. The more you worry about and focus on what’s going on, the more you’ll chase it away. The more you relax and focus on other things, the more quickly this time will pass.)

Cervix further softens and thins. You may dilate anywhere from 0 – 5 or 6 cm.
Expansions get longer, stronger and closer together, but are mild enough to talk and walk through.
An increase in prostaglandins may cause a warm, heavy feeling low in your uterus.
Most women feel excited and happy in early labor. You may feel a surge of adrenaline and energy.
You’ll probably feel energetic and positive. Your expansions are easy to work through.
If you feel any nervousness, concentrate on taking deep, slow breaths and you’ll find that it settles quickly.

How can I shorten early labor?

You’ve been practicing for weeks for this moment! You’ll know exactly what to do if you breathe, relax your muscles, and follow your instincts. That said, we’ll still go over some labor positions to speed up the process.

Don’t time expansions or make a big deal of early labor: a watched pot never boils. Nothing inhibits oxytocin and slows labor more than being “on the clock”.
If you can still carry on a conversation during your expansions, it’s still early labor. Early labor is shy, and it shuts down easily when you feel observed or pressured.
Take a break from social media. Social media is, by nature, a form of social exposure and pressure, and social pressure can greatly slow or even stop labor.
Mute your phone. Don’t accept calls or texts for a while. Constant queries of “have you had that baby yet?” will keep you from having that baby.
When you begin to have expansions, do your best to ignore them as long as you possibly can. Go about your daily activities, but stay close to home and get lots of rest.
Dim the lights, or find a nice dark space to relax. Dim lighting increases your sensitivity to the birth hormones.
Have some private time. Your birthing hormones will kick in more effectively if you go within and allow it to happen on its own. Keep to yourself for a few hours and have “quiet time” with your unborn baby.
When you do have expansions, try the Belly Lift (from unit 4) to help increase pressure on the cervix and speed dilation.

Taking your time and relaxing is your best bet for speeding up labor. If you are ancy to try something more, bouncing on an exercise ball or sitting backwards on a chair may help get you in the zone for active labor.

Most of all though, just remember: sooner or later this baby is coming. Your baby knows what to do. Your body knows what to do. You’ve got this.

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What will help in childbirth - articles from the specialists of the clinic "Mother and Child"

Vovk Lyudmila Anatolyevna

Reproductologist, Obstetrician-gynecologist

Lapino-1 Clinical Hospital "Mother and Child"

We walk and dance

If earlier in the maternity hospital, with the onset of labor, a woman was put to bed, now, on the contrary, obstetricians recommend that the expectant mother move . For example, you can just walk: the rhythm of steps soothes, and gravity helps the neck to open faster. You need to walk as fast as it is convenient, without sprinting up the stairs, it’s better to just “cut circles” along the corridor or ward, from time to time (during the aggravation of the fight) resting on something. The gait does not matter - you can roll over like a duck, rotate your hips, walk with your legs wide apart. It is worth trying and dancing, even if you think that you do not know how. For example, you can swing your hips back and forth, describe circles and figure eights with your fifth point, sway in a knee-elbow position. The main thing is to move smoothly and slowly, without sudden movements.

Showering and bathing

For many people, water is a great way to relieve fatigue and tension, and it also helps with painful contractions. You can just stand in the shower, or you can lie down in the bath. Warm water will warm the muscles of the back and abdomen, they will relax, and the birth canal will relax - as a result, the pain may decrease. Well, if it does not decrease, then in any case, the water will relieve stress and at least for a while distract from the pain. So if there is a shower or jacuzzi bath in the delivery room, do not be shy and try this method of pain relief for contractions. The only thing is that the water should not be too hot, even if it seems that heat helps to better endure contractions.

Swinging on the ball

Until recently, fitball (rubber inflatable ball) in the rodblock was something outlandish, and today is found in many maternity hospitals. And if you find a fitball in your rodblock, be sure to use it. You can sit on the ball astride and swing, rotate the pelvis, spring, roll from side to side. You can also kneel down, lean on the ball with your hands and chest and sway back and forth. All these movements on the ball will relax the muscles, increase the mobility of the pelvic bones, improve the opening of the neck, and reduce the pain of contractions. Also, while the woman is sitting on the ball, her partner (usually the husband) can give her a neck massage for extra relaxation.

To be more comfortable, the ball should be soft, slightly deflated, and large, with a diameter of at least 75 cm.

We hang on a rope or wall bars

When the contractions become very strong and painful, you can take poses in which the stomach is, as it were, in a “suspended” state. Some advanced maternity hospitals have wall bars and ropes attached to the ceiling for this. During contraction, you can hang on them, as a result, the weight of the uterus will put less pressure on large blood vessels, and this will improve uteroplacental blood flow. In addition, in the “suspended” position, the load from the spine will be removed, which will also reduce pain.

Do not hang on a rope or a wall only if there is a desire to push, and the cervix has not yet opened and the efforts must be restrained.

Lying comfortably

If during childbirth a woman wants not to move, but, on the contrary, to lie down, then, of course, she can lie down. In modern maternity hospitals, instead of traditional ones, there are transforming beds: you can change their height, lower or raise the headboard or foot end, adjust the tilt level, push or push some part of the bed. There are also handrails in transforming beds (to use them to rest or even hang on them), and leg supports, and retractable pillows, and special backs - in general, everything in order to fit the bed under you and take it with it comfortable position. Moreover, this can be done without any physical effort - using the remote control.

We use everything we have

In any road block, even if it is minimally equipped, you can still find something useful. For example, if during a fight you want to take a position with a support, you can lean forward and rest against something that turns up under your arm - a table, a headboard, a window sill. The main thing is that the support must be very stable. You can also get on all fours in the “cat pose” and focus on your hands, and to make it more convenient, put a pillow and a folded blanket under your chest. If you want to hang on something (and there is no rope or wall) and your husband will be nearby, you can use postures that allow you to transfer body weight to him: for example, hang on your husband’s neck. In general, it is worth showing imagination and adapting any item in the rodblock to your needs.

And don't be afraid to look stupid during childbirth. No one in the delivery room cares about how you move or lie down as long as it helps you get through your contractions, so calmly find your comfortable position.

Giving birth in an uncomfortable position is both difficult and inefficient. So memorize and rehearse some poses beforehand, and if there are any fixtures in the rodblock, try using them. Something of this will definitely help you to comfortably and easily survive childbirth.

When we move, take various postures, the blood supply to the uterus improves, as a result, it contracts better, and the cervix opens faster. In addition, uteroplacental blood flow improves, and therefore the baby does not suffer from hypoxia

strength to push

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The most effective way to induce contractions and speed up labor

HealthChildbirth

First of all, do not forget that any pregnancy is individual. Even for one woman with several children, the scenario of each new pregnancy can be completely different from the previous one. Do not forget that the preliminary date of birth (DA) does not guarantee the appearance of the baby on a particular day. But do not panic ahead of time - you will not remain pregnant in any case.

It is important to know that all the methods discussed below can only be tested if your tests are normal, there are no pathologies, and the doctor observing the pregnancy has no objections. Think also about whether you really need to compete with nature and, in principle, take measures that bring the cherished day closer?

Photo: Getty Images/Hero Images

Let's breastfeed

There is a test that reveals the readiness of the whole organism in general and the uterus in particular for childbirth - mammary. Its essence is to stimulate the nipples, which triggers the production of the hormone oxytocin, which, in turn, provokes contractions. Within three minutes after the start, the first training session should happen, and after 10 minutes - three more. Did the diagram fit? Then childbirth is worth waiting for from day to day. Only if the reaction does not occur, we can say that you are "walking". By the way, breastfeeding is also useful for this reason: the uterus will actively contract, which is extremely important in the postpartum period.

Hands to hips, legs wider!

Physical activity is also among the top recommendations for speeding up labor, and for good reason. Walking up the stairs, long walks, sometimes even squats - it’s not without reason that women at the end of pregnancy often feel a surge of strength and energy, so nature has taken care of everything here. However, it is important not to overdo it, the consequences of indefatigable activity can be the most deplorable - for example, placental abruption. If you are not in the hospital, and the doctor did not recommend complete rest, the method can be used.

Relax… completely

Colon cleansing with enemas and microclysters is another harmless effective way to induce contractions and call your baby out: intestinal peristalsis triggers contractions. But there is a more pleasant way to start the process: to revise the diet to include more vegetables, fruits and grains. Of course, nutrition alone is unlikely to provoke childbirth, but it may well bring them closer. In addition, the right diet will definitely save you from constipation, which often torment women in the last stages.

Photo: Getty Images/Tetra images RF

Remember how it all began

Love each other and have sex. This way to induce labor will be one of the first to be offered by both doctors and thousands of women whom he has helped. Not only is this a pleasant activity in itself, it can contribute to the onset of labor for three reasons.

First of all, sex is nothing but physical activity. Secondly, orgasm causes a rush of blood to the uterus. And thirdly, semen contains biologically active substances prostaglandins, which soften the cervix and prepare it for labor.

This method has contraindications. You need to be one hundred percent sure of the partner's health and the absence of infections. In case the mucus plug has already moved away, there will be no barrier in their way. In addition, the method is not suitable for those who have a low location of the placenta or placenta previa.

Photo: Shutterstock/Fotodom.ru

What else?

Harmless stimulation methods include:

foot and lumbosacral massage;
certain foods and drinks: raspberry leaf tea (note: raspberry leaves should not be taken before 8 months as they stimulate uterine contractions), redcurrant or beetroot juice, spicy food, fresh pineapple, parsley;
warm bath or contrast shower. By adding essential oils to the water that increase the tone of the uterus (basil, chamomile, juniper, etc.), you can cause it to contract.

What not to do:

take labor inducing drugs unless prescribed by your doctor;
perform any procedure alone;
try to induce labor prematurely;
uncontrollably try folk methods;
ignore the advice of your doctor.

Obstetrician-gynecologist

Births that occur between 37 and 40 weeks are considered normal, and the reasons for walking are always individual. It is important during this period to monitor the condition of the child. Is the baby getting worse? Then the question of childbirth comes up. We recommend actively stimulating labor activity only in a hospital setting, when doctors have the opportunity to monitor the opening of the cervix, the baby's heartbeat and its location, as well as the general condition of the mother. How to calculate the PDR? From the date of the first day of the last menstruation, subtract three months and add seven days. For example, if the critical days began on August 1, then the DA starts on May 8.

As for the natural ways to speed up the birth, one should not seriously count on their effectiveness. Some of them are more effective, some less. Warm baths with herbs, in my opinion, are just a pleasant procedure. The skin for the body as a protective barrier is impenetrable from the outside, so even if we add oils or herbs to the water, this is unlikely to affect labor activity. For the absorption of substances through the skin, there is a special physiotherapy - phonophoresis.

But sex can really lead to contractions, as well as intestinal irritation. But if the mother's body and the child are not yet ready for a responsible event, then neither a diet nor an enema will be able to provoke childbirth.

The last thing a child needs is a restless and worried mother.