Natural Ways to Induce Labor
Natural Ways to Induce Labor
Labor will only start when YOUR body is ready. However, you may be 40+ weeks pregnant and ready to have your baby. It is best to remember that a full term pregnancy is any where between 38 to 42 weeks. If your patience is wearing thin and you are desperate to try natural ways to induce labor then these are some good things to try. Consult your midwife as she may have some other ideas as well.
Nipple Stimulation
This can be done by using a breast pump or your husband! Your husband will probably be most delighted to suck on or play with your nipples. With nipple stimulation your body will produce the love chemical know as oxytocin which can alert your body that it is time to give birth.
Orgasms
The same way a baby gets in your body is the same way it is going to come out. Meaning when you have intercourse and reach orgasm your body is creating and releasing a love chemical know as oxytocin. Semen contains prostaglandins which help ripen the cervix, so intercourse may be helpful in preparing the body for labor. Maybe intercourse is a bit challenging for you at this time then be creative (use a vibrator) to reach orgasm and oxytocin will be released.
Acupuncture
A trip to your acupuncturist may be just what you need to jump start your labor. Acupuncture is usually very relaxing for mom-to-be. All you have to do is lye down and relax while some one else takes care of you.
Herbs
Your midwife is the best one to consult on which herbs to use to help induce labor. She may recommend Black Cahosh and or Blue Cahosh. If you are going to use herbs, use them cautiously. And remember, if your cervix is not ready these herbs will not help you go into labor. If it is ripe, the best thing to do is be patient. I know it’s harder than it sounds.
Castor Oil
The theory behind using castor oil to induce labor is that it causes intestinal cramping and diarrhea, which stimulate the uterus, thus producing prostaglandins, which then cause contractions. Keep in mind castor oil does not taste good and this may not be the most pleasant way to induce labor and it may not work.
Walking
Walking is important throughout your entire pregnancy! It is also very useful to get labor going and during labor. When you are walking you are using gravity to help put pressure on your cervix thus ripening it and preparing to birth your baby. With every step you take to the bathroom, remember you’re one step closer to labor!
The bottom line is to be patient and realize that your body knows when to go into labor. It may be difficult but relax and know that you will not be pregnant forever, even if it feels like it at this moment.
30 Responses to “Natural Ways to Induce Labor”
Comment from DEarps
Time October 10, 2010 at 3:46 pm
There are some things here that I have not thought of. Here I am at 41weeks +5 so I am trying it all. Thanks for the post.
Comment from Francie
Time October 20, 2010 at 7:00 pm
I tried it all…..but I don’t think it worked for me. Patience is what I learned from being 43 weeks before FINALLY giving birth to my little one. Uuuggh, hang in there over due mamas!
Comment from Mitzy
Time October 25, 2010 at 1:21 am
I would also suggest waling like a duck, taking big strides from side to side to try and make more room in your pelvis for your baby to descend.
Comment from Julie
Time October 25, 2010 at 11:15 am
I went for a walk around a lake but did not realize how big the lake was and when I was about half way around the lake I was tired of walking and still no baby, but I had to keep going because I did not want to swim across the lake.
Comment from Rachel925
Time October 26, 2010 at 3:08 am
At this point i will try anything to avoid medical induction.
Comment from Isabella
Time October 27, 2010 at 5:56 pm
I have been walking my entire pregnancy, well now that I am 40weeks and still pregnant I would call it waddling (lol)! I am hoping this baby will come sooner rather than later so I can get back to walking without the waddle.
Comment from Sophia
Time October 29, 2010 at 7:54 pm
When I was 41 weeks my midwife suggested many of these things, I could not stand the nipple stimulation. I did not want anybody or even a breast pump touching my nipples.
Comment from Carrie
Time November 3, 2010 at 3:34 am
I am 41 weeks with my second son and really over still being pregnant. I have been doing nipple stimulation, walking, and having sex twice a day for the last week. I am thinking that I will go in for acupuncture but I have never had it before. Is it really realxing? Any thoughts are appreciated….
Comment from Summer
Time November 4, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Swimming is another thing to try. The lack of gravity can help get baby into position.
Comment from jacks mom
Time November 4, 2010 at 11:20 pm
Carrie- I know it may seem hard to believe that acupuncture is relaxing, but I can tell you it is. The needles that are used are very tiny and you hardly feel them. I say give it a try!
Comment from Rhiannon
Time November 9, 2010 at 12:00 pm
I am one of those crazy ladies who drank castor oil to induce labor. I highly recommend having a chaser after each sip of castor oil. I used root beer as my chaser. Oh I also mixed a little chocolate syrup in with the castor oil to take the edge off the taste.
Comment from samantha4
Time November 9, 2010 at 1:41 pm
my hubbie is very excited that nipple stimulation and orgasms are on this list, I’ll do anything to get this baby out!
Comment from HomeMom
Time November 10, 2010 at 6:05 pm
I would also suggest chiropractic adjustments to make sure your body is in alignment and to allow as much room in your pelvis as possible so baby can descend.
Comment from minnie
Time November 11, 2010 at 6:33 am
Acupuncture worked for me. I saw an acupuncturist and 2 days later I was in labor (thank God!) one thing to keep in mind is acupuncture works at different rates for everyone. Some people respond quickly to an acupuncture treatment and others may have to go back for multiple treatments.
Comment from fioricet
Time November 12, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Be patient! The baby wont stay in there forever! Ok, try walking if you just have to do something!
Comment from medical Technologist
Time November 12, 2010 at 11:37 pm
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Time December 3, 2010 at 11:43 am
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Time December 3, 2010 at 1:41 pm
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Comment from Elizabeth
Time December 22, 2010 at 11:43 am
Relaxing and realizing that labor will begin when your body is ready. My favorite way to relax is to get a prenatal massage and tell the therapist to really rub the area around your ankles as that could help induce labor.
Comment from Home birth for me
Time December 22, 2010 at 12:49 pm
The last thing that I wanted to hear when I was 40 weeks pregnant was to RELAX. I wanted to DO something but everything I tried to do was not working. So, as hard as it is to hear, now I believe that relaxing is the best way to allow labor to begin naturally.
Comment from Jamie
Time December 27, 2010 at 9:59 am
I have heard that there are certain foods that can induce labor. Spicy food seems to be the most common. Too bad I already have heart burn galore!
Comment from Love licorice
Time December 27, 2010 at 11:18 am
I ate a ton of black licorice and I swear it helped kick start my labor.
Comment from US midwife
Time December 27, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Patience, patience, patience! Your baby will come when it is ready!
Comment from Homebirthrocks
Time December 28, 2010 at 11:05 am
My midwife recommend that I go bowling when i was 41+ weeks pregnant. I was really beginning to stress out and I just wanted my baby to come out! Bowling was a fun way for me to relax and not worry about still being pregnant. I finally had ny baby a few days later at exactly 42 weeks!
Comment from Spencers mom
Time December 29, 2010 at 1:32 am
When I was pregnant with my second child I walked every day, which kept me in shape and helped my baby descend and engage in my pelvis finally.
Comment from Stork
Time December 29, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Driving along on a 4wheel drive road is what did it for me. The bumps were a bit rough on my bladder but I went into labor that night when I got home!
Comment from PremieMom
Time January 4, 2011 at 2:04 am
Why is it that almost every pregnant women you talk to today wants her baby to come before the due date? Don’t you think that mother nature knows when you are supposed to have your baby? Besides think of all of the premature babies that are born and have to spend so much time in the NICU.
Comment from enough already
Time May 2, 2011 at 9:21 am
walking is my personal answer for everything, but it is not working to induce labor! help!! i guess i better go for the multiple orgasms.
Comment from wlemayka
Time August 16, 2010 at 1:30 am
Oh the thought of castor oil brings back some strong memories! Looking back I should have tried having more sex instead