Make Your Cervix Dilate Yourself - Easy Tips

By Julie Ingham

Cervix is the name given to the narrow neck of the womb. During the labor and delivery process, it softens and dilates to allow for the baby to move down through the birth canal. The softening of a cervix is known as ripening. In preparing for an easier delivery with shorter labor times, it's helpful to make your cervix dilate yourself.

Dilation can be done with several different methods. Breast massage is one methods. Another way to dilate the cervix is by manual stimulation of the area. This methods exposes the prospective mother to the danger of infection. The least appealing method for getting the cervix dilated to the eight centimeters required for delivery is by using drugs.

For those who want to have a drug free delivery, using acupressure to ripen the cervix and ease the dilation and shortening progress toward delivery is a preferred method.During the second and third stages of labor, pressure applied at the BL32 (Ciliao) helps to promote dilation. It has been reported to prevent low back pain. The technique requires firm knuckle pressure. It helps to increase the strength of the contraction. This pressure point is midway between the dimples above the buttocks and the lower spine.

Locating a spot that is four finger widths above the ankle bone on the inside of the leg is another preferred location for dilating the cervix. This is the Sanyinjiao SP-6 acupressure site. The pressure can be applied to either leg. The recommended procedure is to use pressure on one leg for about one minute and repeat the pressure on the other leg about half an hour later.

Controlled studies for women in labor have verified that acupressure applied during labor results in less time to reach the fully dilated stage where the actual birth process can begin. The studies used objective measurements of cervix length and dilation to determine that softening dilate requires less time. Measurements such as pain reduction and easier delivery could not be measured objectively, although anecdotal evidence suggests that acupressure helps in these areas as well.

When you make your cervix dilate yourself, you are likely to spend less time in the delivery room. Acupressure can be done at home or in a clinical setting with equally beneficial results. For effective treatment using acupuncture points, a support person is necessary. Many women have found that acupuncture is the best way, especially when used at the beginning of labor or to induce labor

Research has been conducted and is showing that over eighty percent of pregnant women who use acupressure to induce labor experience a normal labor with less complications than other women that do not use the techniques. Did you know that it can also shorten the amount of time one is in labor?

Want to learn how to use acupressure? It's easy and anyone can learn it. Check out these easy to learn acupressure techniques: http://www.squidoo.com/acupressure-to-inducelabor

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Ingham
http://EzineArticles.com/?Make-Your-Cervix-Dilate-Yourself---Easy-Tips&id=3826440