Natural Ways to Induce Labor

In most healthy pregnancies, it is best for both baby and mother to simply wait for labor to begin. However, if serious medical complications do arise during your pregnancy, you may wish to try to jumpstart labor on your own without potentially harmful pharmaceuticals or other hospital interventions. There are many things you can try to get your body ready and moving towards active labor.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Have sex, and lots of it. This can ripen your body for birth in two ways: semen is thought to contain the preliminary components of prostaglandins, which can soften the cervix. In addition, orgasm causes a woman’s body to produce oxytocin, which makes the uterus contract.

2. Take evening primrose oil (commonly known as EPO). EPO contains omega-6 essential fatty acids, which are theorized to convert to prostaglandins in the body. This can help soften the cervix and prepare it for easy dilation. EPO can also be inserted vaginally in the last month of pregnancy to maximize its effect on the cervix. The recommended dosage is typically 1000-1500mg of EPO per day orally, with 1000mg inserted against the cervix.

3. Take castor oil. Mix one to four ounces of castor oil with juice to mask the flavor, which most women do not find pleasant. The castor oil will usually produce contractions within a few hours if your body is ready to go into labor. Because the oil causes the bowels to empty, it is thought that the intestinal activity triggers contractions in the uterus.

4. Perform nipple stimulation, either manually on your own or with a partner, or with the use of a breast pump. Stimulating the nipples causes the body to produce oxytocin, which initiates uterine contractions. Stimulate the nipples for 15 minutes every hour for three hours, and then take a break for a few hours to reduce the risk of dangerously strong contractions (known as tetanic contractions).

5. Talk to your midwife or doctor about having your membranes stripped. This is a procedure normally performed in your care provider’s office, whereby she will manually separate the amniotic sac from the inner cervix. This creates two mechanisms: the stimulation of the cervix prompts the production of prostaglandins, which may start labor within a day or two, and it also stretches the cervix out, causing a bit of dilation. This procedure can only be performed if your cervix is one to two centimeters dilated already and is at least somewhat soft. Stripping—or sweeping—the membranes does carry a risk of causing your water to break.

Tips & Warnings

• Unless there is a serious indication that you or your baby is in imminent danger, be patient. Labor will come when the baby is ready.
• Make sure your baby is in a good position before attempting to start labor. For the easiest possible labor, the baby should be head down (vertex) and facing slightly toward your right side (LOA or left occipital anterior).
• Get plenty of rest before encouraging contractions. Fatigue can cause complications during delivery.
• The advice contained in this article is not to be construed as medical advice. If you have genuine concerns about the health of your baby, consult your health care provider.
• Do not attempt to induce labor on your own before 40 completed weeks of pregnancy, as estimated dates of delivery can be off by weeks, and forcing the baby out too early can result in a premature delivery.

Resources

• Natural Ways to Induce Labor
• Mothering Magazine

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