Application of kelp for stimulation of labor: action, indications and contraindications, reviews

Today, birth in a home environment is gainingmore and more popularity. However, if you refuse to go to the hospital, then be sure to enlist the help of an experienced obstetrician who can come to you on the first call. It is very good, if the birth will pass easily, and nothing, except observation, from the doctor is not required. However, in some cases, long before delivery, the doctor sees that the body is not ready to part with the fetus, and only the stimulation can save the situation. Today we will consider only a separate question: how is laminaria used to stimulate labor.

Properties of kelp

In gynecology this alga was used very muchFor a long time, however, in recent decades, almost forgotten about it. It was believed that modern drugs are much more effective and reliable. However, everything new is a well-forgotten old. Today, laminaria is again used with great success to stimulate labor. At his discretion, the doctor can use it in the last trimester and directly in childbirth.

By its properties, this sea kale can give a head start to almost all terrestrial plants. It contains fiber and protein, vitamins and minerals, organic iodine.

How to use

Let's start with what is used for kelpin obstetrics. These are the sticks that are used to expand the cervical canal. They are made from the same algae. Their length varies from 6 to 9 cm. What can help such a stick? First of all, its mechanical properties are very useful. High hygroscopicity allows it to increase several times. It begins to press on the walls of the cervical canal, thereby stimulating the maturation of the uterus. In addition, it is believed that this alga stimulates the release of prostaglandins. Laminaria for the stimulation of labor is used in the case when the cervix is ​​not ready to release the fetus on its own, and the time has already come for it.

In what cases it may be required

Use of kelp for stimulation of childbirth,due to its environmental friendliness, has become very popular. Gynecologists may decide to resort to this method in several cases. And it concerns not only obstetrics directly in the maternity ward. Obstetrician-gynecologist, who watches pregnancy, can offer you the use of laminaria for the stimulation of labor, if the time has already come, and the cervical canal is not prepared for the forthcoming event.

For example

Let's list the main diagnoses, in which the doctor addresses this tool:

• Immaturity of the cervix in due time.
• Complicated pregnancy. It can be Rh-conflict, pronounced toxicosis, death of the fetus.
• Use laminaria and to prepare for uterine manipulation. Most often these are abortions.

Mode of application

All manipulations can only be carried out by an experiencedobstetrician-gynecologist. This item is especially important for adherents of home births, or the appearance of a baby in natural conditions. The use of kelp for stimulation of labor (the doctors' reviews say that this is the safest and most effective remedy today) involves a preliminary sanitation of the vagina.

After that, with the help of special toolswetted in saline solution, the stick is placed so that it is at one end in the inner throat of the cervix. The top is closed with a sterile dense napkin, which helps the sticks stay in place.

Number of sticks used

Yes, you are not mistaken, the use of kelp forstimulation of labor (the photo clearly demonstrates the appearance of these sticks) suggests an individual approach to the necessary number of sticks. In particular, before an abortion, which is performed in the first half of pregnancy, one to six laminaria are established per day.

When preparing the cervix for childbirth at a later date, up to 19 laminaria is applied in two stages. Each time the sticks must remain in place until 20 hours.

Removal of laminaria is performed with a vaginalinspection. The doctor pulls them beyond the ends of the strands, evaluating the effectiveness of the procedure performed. The deletion is performed after reaching the desired effect or after the maximum time period has elapsed.

Pros of this tool

Let's look at the advantages of using kelpfor the stimulation of childbirth. Indications and contraindications should be sounded by the attending physician, and it is necessary to take the patient's consent to conduct such a procedure. It attracts doctors primarily with its simplicity and safety. Without using strong drugs, you get the opportunity to avoid further complications of the postpartum and postoperative period associated with an emergency, mandatory expansion of the cervix.

Thus, simple kelp helps prevent a huge number of complications.

• Its use by direct indications reduces the frequency of cesarean section.
• Obstetricians note that laminaria significantly reduces the duration of all stages of labor.
• This is a natural remedy that does not cause allergic reactions.
• Unlike drugs that are used for emergency stimulation of labor activity, kelp does not affect the blood pressure of the mother.
• If the use of kelp does not give the expected effect, then we can proceed to other methods of stimulation, and the dosage of drugs in this case can be significantly reduced.

Of course, kelp is not a panacea, and onlythe doctor can tell if it will help in your particular case. For this, it is necessary to collect in a single picture the observation of the course of pregnancy and the results of ultrasound, the woman's state of health and the conclusion of a gynecological examination.

Side effects and contraindications

Like any other method, it is not devoid of shortcomings andUse of kelp for stimulation of childbirth. Side effects in this case can be expressed in the pain sensations of a woman. For any discomfort, you should inform your doctor about it. Variants of the norm are a feeling of heaviness, minor pulling pains and small spotting.

The boundaries of pain are very subjective,so try to describe them as accurately as possible so that the doctor has a complete idea of ​​what is happening to your body. However, the disclosure of the cervix in any case is accompanied by pain, so you have to accept it.

Using sticks of kelp can lead topremature discharge of amniotic fluid. In addition, as we have already said, such stimulation accelerates the flow of all stages of labor, which is not always desirable.

Any infectious diseases of the reproductive systemare a complete contraindication for the installation of laminaria rods. In these cases, a preliminary sanation is required. Such a procedure can cause inflammatory diseases in the mother, so the doctor must evaluate in advance all the pros and cons. However, as we have already stressed, kelp can in some cases help to avoid more serious therapy and give birth to a healthy baby.