If you are here, you are just about ready to blow, amiright? Curb walking to induce labor is a common method to kick things off naturally at the end of your pregnancy. This article will discuss how it’s done, how it works, and if it’s actually effective.
Your due date is either around the corner or has already passed – if so, bless you, girlfriend – and you are probably wondering if your little bundle of joy will EVER show their face. Trust me, I have been there, as have millions and millions of other women. The patience is wearing thin!
The internet (and every other mother in our lives) are riddled with tips and tricks on how to induce labor, so chances are you have already heard of curb walking. If you aren’t sure what it is, don’t worry… it’s simple and exactly what it sounds like.
Time is UP little one, your eviction notice has been issued.
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What is Curb Walking?
Curb walking is a popular technique that some expectant mothers try when they are nearing their due dates and eager to encourage labor to start. It involves walking along the edge of a sidewalk or a curb, and taking steps with one foot on the pavement and the other foot on the street.
The idea behind curb walking is that the uneven surface and the gentle swaying motion created while walking might help the baby’s head apply pressure against the cervix, potentially encouraging dilation and triggering uterine contractions. It’s low risk, easy, and pretty much anyone can do it (unless your doctor advises against it due to personal risks).
How to Curb Walk
Here’s a general outline of how curb walking is performed:
- Choose a Safe Location: Find a quiet and safe area with a sidewalk curb where you can comfortably walk.
- Proper Footwear: Wear comfortable and supportive shoes. You’ll want to ensure that you have good balance and minimize the risk of tripping.
- Posture and Technique: Stand beside the curb with one foot on the sidewalk and the other on the street. Hold onto a partner or a railing for support if needed. Take slow and steady steps along the curb, alternating which foot is on the pavement and which is on the street. Maintain an upright posture and walk at a comfortable pace.
- Duration: You can start with a short session, perhaps 5-10 minutes, and gradually increase the time if you feel comfortable.
- Stay Hydrated: It’s important to stay hydrated while you’re engaging in any physical activity, especially this late in your pregnancy.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body feels. If you experience any discomfort, pain, or unusual sensations, stop immediately and rest.
If you are already in labor and you are trying to progress your contractions, be sure to have a support person with you. They can help you keep your balance and/or offer assistance if contractions become too strong.
Does Curb Walking Induce Labor?
It’s worth emphasizing that while curb walking and other natural methods are often explored by expectant mothers, there is no guaranteed way to induce labor, and each woman’s body responds differently. There is limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness, but many mamas swear it worked for them!
I feel confident that it helped progress my own dilation! I personally started curb walking when my doctor told me I was 1 cm dilated. Every time my husband and I would take my daughter to the park or go on a walk around the neighborhood, I would find myself a curb and take laps. I could definitely feel increased pressure while doing it and in the evening after.
There are more evidence-based methods of inducing labor that are recommended by healthcare professionals when the time is right such as membrane sweeping, prostaglandin gel, or oxytocin augmentation.
When to Start Curb Walking to Induce Labor
Curb walking is meant to induce labor, and therefore shouldn’t be attempted until your body is ready in the last weeks of pregnancy. It’s best if you try it when your baby is full term and you have already begun dilating, which can be determined by a cervix check at one of your appointments with your OBGYN.
Other natural induction methods include, red raspberry leaf tea, sexual intercourse, using a breast pump, evening primes oil, spicy foods, nipple stimulation, using an exercise ball, regular walking, and deep lunges. Before attempting any labor-inducing techniques, it’s advisable to consult your healthcare provider to ensure that it’s safe for you and your baby. Your health and well-being come first!
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