How to Naturally Induce Labor

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By oneloved
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Ready for Baby?

Sick of being pregnant? If your body is ready to go into labor, these methods may be helpful in getting it started. If not, take the hint! Your body and baby know best when they are ready. Natural methods carry far fewer risks than medical induction methods, which are more invasive and have serious possible side effects. Be sure to check with your care provider before trying any induction method. This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
Primrose Oil
Nature's Sunshine 5-W
Spicy Food
Chiropractor
Massage Therapist
Childbirth Educator and/or Doula
Obstetrician or Midwife

Step 1

Your pregnancy is almost over, and now it's time to meet your baby! You've heard it before, but I'll say it again: the #1 way to get labor going is to have sex! Why? Semen contains natural prostaglandins, which help to ripen the cervix. After sex, trying lying down to allow these prostaglandins to remain against the cervix as long as possible. Secondly, the hormone which causes contractions, oxytocin, is the same hormone that is released during orgasm. The more orgasms a mother has, the more oxytocin is released into her system. So go have fun!
Step 2

Nipple stimulation helps to trigger labor by naturally releasing oxytocin (sometimes referred to as the "love" or "mothering" hormone, oxytocin also helps your milk to let down when you're breastfeeding). You can stimulate your nipples manually, or use a breast pump. Stimulating the nipples during labor can also help speed it along.
Step 3

Walking helps to stimulate labor by putting gravity and motion to work for you, so go do your "pregnancy waddle". When you're standing, the baby's head naturally puts pressure on your pelvic floor and cervix, encouraging it to open. Motion helps to stimulate the uterus to contract (so does emptying your bladder often).
Step 4

Acupressure, acupuncture, and reflexology are effective ways to naturally induce labor. Your body has several acupressure points which are known to stimulate the uterus to contract (in fact, pregnancy massages are specifically designed to avoid these points, so as not to risk preterm labor). It may take some calling around to find a practitioner who does this type of treatment, or you can ask the doulas and independent Childbirth Intructors in your area who they refer their clients to for a labor "jumpstart".
Step 5

See a chiropractor. The hormone relaxin loosens your ligaments so that your pelvis can expand for birth. It also makes it very easy for your spine to get out of alignment. Chiropractic care is a must during pregnancy. A final adjustment may not only provide relief from lower back pain - it can help your baby drop farther into your pelvis, setting the stage for baby's arrival.
Step 6

Eliminate all unnecessary stress from your life. Practice your relaxation exercises for labor. Imagine your body gently opening and allowing your baby to pass peacefully into your waiting arms. Adrenaline from anxiety or stress is a labor inhibitor, so try relaxing in a warm bath, watching a funny or romantic movie, or another activity that reduces stress. See my article "How To Reduce Stress & Anxiety" for more relaxation tips.

If you have any unresolved fears, now is the time to address them. So much of birth is psychological, and it's important for the mother to feel completely safe and supported when birthing her baby. Fear or anxiety about your pregnancy, labor, birth, new baby, mothering abilities, or relationships can cause anxiety and even stall, delay, or inhibit labor.

Try reading "Birthing From Within" or "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth", both of which are comforting and reassuring resources for pregnant mothers, encouraging them to trust their natural, in-born ability to birth and care for their babies, and full of positive birth stories (no horror stories)! A doula is also specially trained to help reduce fear and anxiety, build confidence, and encourage and comfort laboring mothers.
Step 7

Evening Primrose Oil is a natural way to boost prostaglandin levels, which help to ripen the Cervix. You can find it in capsule form at any retailer that sells natural supplements. You can take it orally after 34 weeks gestation, and insert capsules into the vagina around 38 weeks of pregnancy. Be sure to check with your care provider first.
Step 8

Designed just for pregnant women, Nature's Sunshine 5-W Herbal Supplement contains an herbal combination that helps to support the body's natural production of estrogen, tone the uterus, stimulate contractions, ripen the cervix, and reduce anxiety. The 5-W stands for "5 weeks", which means it is designed to be taken the last five weeks of pregnancy, in preparation for childbirth. Be sure to check with your care provider first.
Step 9

Castor Oil, as every pregnant woman knows, is probably the most well-known "old wives" trick for inducing labor, but it should only be used as a last resort, under a doctor's direction. Besides being distasteful, it can trigger serious intestinal cramps and diarrhea (probably why it irritates the uterus enough to cause contractions).
Step 10

Spicy foods are popular for getting labor going, though there isn't much evidence other than hearsay. It's possible that irritation in the digestive system can contribute to stimulating contractions. Pineapple, eggplant, basil, oregano, and licorice (the natural, black variety) have all been credited with inducing labor at one time or another.
Step 11

During your next cervical check, ask your OB or midwife to perform a quick procedure known as "sweeping" or "stripping the membranes", which is designed to stimulate labor (do not attempt before 40 weeks). This is done by sweeping one finger between the amniotic sac and the uterine wall, irritating the uterus and causing contractions. Expect some pain or discomfort, followed by cramping, bleeding, and loss of the mucus plug.

There is a slight possibility that this could accidentally rupture your amniotic sac as well. Keep in mind that most hospitals require delivery of the baby within 24 hours of your water breaking, to guard against infection (sometimes called the "cesarean clock"). If you don't want to be put on a time restriction, make sure your doctor agrees beforehand to wait for you to go into labor on your own (provided there are no signs of infection). Otherwise, you may end up with a medical induction, which doubles your chances of a C-section. See my article "How To Avoid An Unnecessary Induction" for more info.