As induction rates continue to soar a new therapy is coming to the fore that may reduce hospital admissions for routine induction of labour post dates (after EDD) and its associated risks.

Ahfugit therapy developed by Midwife and Positive Birth Expert is growing in popularity around the globe due to it’s innovative non-invasive approach.

In 1st world countries it is not unusual for mothers approaching their EDD to employ ‘natural’ induction techniques to avoid a chemical induction. While researching this popular topic we found recurring themes in our interviews with the 20 women who participated in this research project.

 “I wanted to ‘nudge’ things along – just so I didn’t go too far over” 

“Everyone says induction is awful and I didn’t want to go through that if I didn’t have to”

“I ate so much pineapple I was seriously considering calling my son Del Monte”  

“I was keeping my local Indian take away in business”

“I think my husband is afraid of me these days” 

“I walked, squatted and pigeon posed myself into exhaustion – nothing worked”

While researching this topic the mothers interviewed who had experienced ahfugit therapy reported the following experiences.

• Emotional release (long bouts of crying).

• 1-2 glasses of wine after 40 weeks.

• Packing and repacking a hospital bag (if the original planned place of birth was home).

• Repeating of the affirmation “ahhhhhhfugit”………..”ahhhhhhhfeckit” and “ferfexsaykes”  loudly.

• Increase in Amazon/Ebay/Etsy purchases as part of a ‘treat yo’self’ approach.

• Increase in the wearing of white pants. In research this is positively associated with an increase in the likelihood of a release of waters (especially in public).

• Repeated use of Positive Induction, Fear Release and Mindful Acceptance in the GentleBirth App.

• Making a list of positive aspects of induction of labor.

Psychologists and obstetricians are unclear exactly how the ahfugit therapy works but Dr. Endofrope at the Association of Surge Psychology suggests mothers consider the advice of the great philosopher Aristotle -   “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”

According to Dr. Endofrope “Mothers who are anxious about EDDs are in a state of biochemical resistance (stress) and are focused on what they do not want – induction of labor.  Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that ahfugit techniques reduce and in some cases remove that resistance completely and the maternal physiology returns to a state of relaxation allowing the biochemical changes needed for the birth process to occur spontaneously”.

Additional research is required to provide valuable information regarding the implementation of mind/body approaches in reducing induction rates and associated risks.

Did you try and natural induction techniques? Did they work for you? I’d love to hear your experiences.