Midwives have long recommended inducing labor naturally by drinking castor oil 2 ounces in a glass of orange juice or mixed with ice cream. The idea is that castor oil can stimulate the smooth muscle of the bowels, promote the release of prostaglandin, and nudge the nearby uterus into action.
Research results are varied, but two recent trials showed that full-term pregnant people who were given castor oil were more likely to go into labor within 24 hours.
But the side effects—including nausea, explosive diarrhea, and dehydration— can be grueling, Myers says. A safer bet for those past 39 weeks? Load up on spicy food, which could have similar results without the nasty side effects but be prepared for heartburn and puffy ankles, because spicy food taxes your digestive system.
Midwives most commonly suggest evening primrose oil and blue cohosh as natural ways to induce labor. Though each herb has a plausible mechanism for working , they also come with potential downsides. Evening primrose oil, which is prescribed in capsule form to be taken three times a day or rubbed directly on the cervix, is believed to help soften the cervix and ready it for labor. However, the few published studies that have looked at its effectiveness failed to find that its use caused labor to begin any earlier.
But one study suggests it may actually prolong the active phase of labor and boost the incidence of certain labor complications such as arrested descent of the fetus in the birth canal. Both blue Caulophyllum and black cohosh Cimicifuga have been used to treat menstrual ailments for centuries.
However, some studies have suggested that blue cohosh can have some dangerous side effects in pregnancy, so it should be avoided. Meanwhile, raspberry tea is often recommended in the weeks before a due date to tone the uterus but hasn't proved to have any effect on labor.
We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies. If you're looking to induce labor naturally, these techniques might help spur your body — and baby — into action.
Has your due date come and gone? Can't wait another minute to carry your baby in your arms rather than in your belly? If so, you're probably itching to give your body a little nudge to bring on labor. While there are no surefire techniques to coax your baby into the world besides being induced by a doc , there is some research to back up these natural ways to induce labor — if your body and baby are ready to cooperate.
But before you try any of these at home, get your practitioner's okay — after all, you don't want to push your bun out of the oven before it's fully cooked.
Once you've gotten the green light from your doctor or midwife, go ahead and find out how to induce labor naturally. The simple act of walking during pregnancy may help draw the baby down into your pelvis thanks to gravity and the swaying of your hips.
The pressure of the baby on your pelvis may then prime your cervix for labor — or may help labor progress if you've already felt some contractions. And if walking doesn't do the trick, it'll at least get you in shape for delivery day. Just don't walk too much and tire yourself out before your due date.
You'll need all the energy you can muster to push out that baby of yours! While it may seem almost impossible to pull off a romp in the sack when you're 40 weeks pregnant and counting! Sperm contains prostaglandins — hormones that can help thin and dilate the cervix, ripening it for delivery. Or not. Some research shows that women who continue to have sex late in pregnancy might carry their babies longer than those who abstain.
Either way, this no-cost attempt to induce labor naturally may relieve some tension and is a healthy way to strengthen your twosome right before you become a threesome. Cochrane Library. Siregar, E. International Journal of Nursing and Health Services. Induction of labor with oxytocin. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: Nathan Haniger. Are there natural ways to induce labor? Here's the scoop on some of the techniques you may have heard about: Sexual intercourse: Semen contains prostaglandins, and having an orgasm may stimulate contractions.
Nipple stimulation: Stimulating your nipples releases oxytocin and may help start labor. Castor oil: Castor oil is a strong laxative. Enemas: A self-administered enema works similarly to castor oil in that it stimulates the bowels, which releases prostaglandins compounds that prepare the cervix for labor into the body.
Evening primrose oil, red raspberry leaf tea, and other herbal remedies: A variety of herbs, including red raspberry leaf tea and evening primrose oil , are said to be useful for labor induction. Exercise: Walking and other forms of moderate exercise are safe during pregnancy and recommended for most women.
Bumpy car ride: Taking a drive on a gravel road or hitting a few speed bumps won't help start labor. Spicy food: Despite the stories about babies born quickly after their moms ate spicy pizza or a certain eggplant Parmesan, no spice or food has been scientifically proven to get labor started.
Pineapple: This tasty fruit contains an enzyme called bromelain, which is rumored to stimulate labor. Acupuncture and acupressure: Acupuncture involves inserting tiny needles through the skin in strategic locations throughout the body. Learn more: Early signs of labor The stages of labor and delivery Cervical dilation and effacement. Sources BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.
Claudia Boyd-Barrett. Featured video. Castor oil to induce labor. He gives the lowdown on some of the most common methods. Nipple stimulation is a natural way to increase oxytocin levels. Oxytocin kicks childbirth into gear by sending signals that tell your body to start contractions and labor. Emery says that nipple stimulation is the only method with data to back it up.
Acupuncturists insert tiny needles into specific locations on the body to kick-start labor. Acupressure follows the same principles — but swaps the needles for firm pressure and massage.
File these two under: Feel free to try, but keep your expectations low. But what about the methods your Aunt Linda, best friend or even doctor swears by?
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