Article: Having sex with a partner can help release prostaglandins, which are similar to hormones in your body. Prostaglandins can bring on labor. Sperm from an ejaculation inside the vagina can help to soften and dilate the cervix, also readying the body for labor. Having an orgasm stimulates prostaglandins, so if you don't feel comfortable having sex, you can still have an orgasm on your own. Do not have sex if your water has already broken, as this can put you at risk for infection. Nipple stimulation is another way to induce uterine contractions. Use your thumb and forefinger to roll the nipple for 2 minutes. Give it a rest for 3 minutes. Continue this process for about 20 minutes. If you don't feel any contractions, increase the rolling part to 3 minutes, with the rests lasting 2 minutes. Use olive oil on your fingers to prevent irritation. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture, a traditional Chinese bodywork technique that promotes relaxation and healing. According to this healing technique, the body has acupoints through which energy flows. Applying direct, firm pressure to two of these points may help induce labor. To use acupressure: Locate the pressure points, which are in the webbing between your thumb and your index finger and on your lower leg about 3 inches (8cm) above the inside of your ankle bone. Pinch the webbing of your hand. Rub for 30-60 seconds by moving in a circular motion. Press firmly with the tip of a finger or two fingers on the spot on your leg. Rub in a circular motion. With either of these pressure points, stop rubbing when you have a contraction. Start rubbing again when the contraction stops. Reflexology is a method of using pressure points in the feet to trigger labor within 24-48 hours. Use the pressure points that correspond to the pituitary, bladder, solar plexus, and ovaries and uterus to activate your body into labor. Put direct, firm pressure on one of these points, or rub in a circular motion with firm pressure. Pituitary: Located on the big toe, this pressure point will activate the pituitary gland, which releases hormones like oxytocin. Bladder: Located on the bottom of the foot near the instep, this pressure point can help the muscles around your uterus contract, which can in turn start uterine contractions. Solar plexus: Located in the center of your foot sole, this point will help you relax and feel more balanced. Ovaries and uterus: Located on your inner ankle, just below the malleolus (the bony part of the ankle that sticks out), this pressure point may be tender. This can jumpstart uterine contractions. Do not attempt reflexology before you reach 38 weeks, which can put you at risk for preterm labor. Definitely do not try it in the first trimester of pregnancy, as it can put you at risk for a miscarriage. Inducing labor by ingesting castor oil happens by causing intestinal cramps and stimulating the bowels. By contracting intestinal and bowel muscles, you can cause uterine contractions. These methods will cause diarrhea, which can be extremely uncomfortable. Mix 2 fluid ounces (59mL) of castor oil in a glass of juice. Drink it all at once. Alternately, you can try an in-home enema. However, use this method only once, and proceed with extreme caution. It can clear out your bowels and leave you quite dehydrated and uncomfortable.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Have sex. Stimulate your nipples. Use acupressure. Use reflexology. Try castor oil.
Article: Since part of the reason for scratching is to sharpen and even shorten claw growth, you can help out with a regular, careful trim of your cat's claws. If you don't know how to clip a cat's claws, ask your vet to show you how to do this the first time, as it is easy to hurt the cat badly if you don't what you're doing. A cat that is not used to claw clipping can be a little bothered by it initially but you need to persevere until they are comfortable with it. Again, praise your cat while your are trimming their claws so that they know you are caring. It is useful to "blunt" the tips of the claws of an indoor cat that never has access to outdoor trees. You can do this with toenail clippers (never use claw clippers made for dogs) but you must know the correct cutting line to avoid injuring the cat. Ask your veterinarian or a groomer to show you this for the first time. "Soft Paws" glued to your cat's nails will prevent the cat from damaging surfaces because the cap covers the sharp nail. You can glue these on yourself, or have your veterinarian do it for you. These caps will eventually fall off in three to six weeks and need to be reapplied. If your cat is already able to go in and out of the house, it is highly likely that they have found themselves a tree or two to scratch on. Encourage this (unless it's harming the tree) and continue to let them have appropriate outside time, as using nature for a scratching post will definitely reduce their desire to use your furniture as one. Declawing can be a quick and easy way to prevent furniture damage, however, it is a surgery, and like all medical procedures, comes with risks. While it is still legal to declaw a cat in most (but not all) cities in the United States and Canada, there are some ethical considerations. Declawing is considered to be an act of cruelty, and is thus illegal in Europe and other countries. A significant proportion of cats having undergone declawing refuse to use the cat litter, develop aggressive behaviour (mainly biting and hissing), and show signs of intense stress and fear. It also makes them more vulnerable to predators, and does not allow them to stretch properly. Do your research and make sure that you understand all that you need to know in order to make the decision to amputate the ends of your cat's toes. The declawing procedure involves amputating the digit at the last joint of your cat's front paws. Talk to your veterinarian if you think declawing is your choice. Some cats do fine but others suffer from chronic pain and, later, arthritis. Note that if you have a cat that goes outdoors, declawing their front paws may affect their ability to climb and defend themselves. Check the adoption or purchase contract for your cat. Some rescue groups and adoption agencies have "do not declaw" clauses in the contract you signed to allow your cat to live in your home.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Keep your cat's claws neatly trimmed. Use plastic caps to cover your cat's nails. Allow your cat some outside time where possible. Consider the downsides and alternatives to declawing your cat before having it done.