Empowered Delivery Preparations - How Do I Know If I'm In Labor? - Natural Ways to Induce Labor

By: Aunt Doula (09/30/2023)

There are many an old wives tale, a friend or family member who swears by "it", internet top 5, even providers who are old school who suggest all kinds of things to 'naturally induce labor' but there are no 100% ways to induce labor at home just yet. In as much as things aren't "proven" to work, the process of having something to do that feels like you have some control is important for mental fortitude! The placebo effect is real, and so if eating pineapple while doing curb walks keeps you strong physically and emotionally and your doctor says it's safe - go for it!

This is a multi part series on labor preparation

If you want to go directly to the post about learning the possible signs that you are going into labor soon, click here If you want to read about 4-1-1 & how to know when to go to your delivery place while in labor click here If you would like to learn about getting checked for if you are in labor, click here

These are the most commonly suggested 'natural labor induction' methods along with if they are known to work and why.

Castor oil - No - Nay - Never!

This is an old wives tale that brinns great discomfort and no gains. Castor oil only brings mimicking of symptoms that may indicate labor, but it does not bring on labor or stimulate an of the hormones of labor. It is flat out no in all respects and routes of administration. Just say no!

Primrose oil - Maybe Works

But only try with your providers awareness and approval. As primrose oil has been suggested as a suppository, a tea, or as a capsule and none are fully studied it is important that you talk to your doctor about using primrose oil in any form before you try it.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea - Maybe Works

Again with your providers approval for brand, frequency, and when during pregnancy to start drinking the tea. There is mixed evidence on the benefits of drinking this tea, and as such it should be taken with appropriate guidance.

Nipple stimulation - including pumping - Yes it can work!

This should not be done until late in the third trimester and with your providers sign off because too early has a very small chance of preterm labor; so out of an abundance of caution you will notice the theme of check with your provider! The reason nipple stimulation can help tip your body over into labor is it creates oxytocin which can stimulate contractions if the uterus is primed for receiving the oxytocin to go into labor.

Masterbation - Yes it can work!

Masturbation with or without orgasm releases oxytocin and endorphins, which may help tip your ready body over into labor - emphasis on if it's ready. Just as with nipple stimulation, the release of oxytocin can stimulate the uterus if it is ready to receive oxytocin and tip you into labor.

Sex (with or without ejaculation) - Yes it can work!

As with masturbation, oxytocin and endorphins are released during sexual activity and significant relaxation of the body is often achieved. If there is ejaculate, prostaglandins in the semen can help ripen the cervix if the body is nearing labor readiness. Note: penetrative sex should be cleared by your provider late in the third trimester in case there are factors this write up can't take into consideration.

Curb walking - Yes it can help!

Curb walking is essentially walking parallel along a curb so that with one foot you are stepping up, and the other foot remains going down to the ground as you walk forward. Make sure you turn around and walk the other way! This is to increase the flexibility and movement of your pelvis to help your baby become engaged deeply in your pelvis and pressing their head to your cervix to promote the very important mechanical pressures that drive cervix changes along with hormonal signals.

Birthing ball exercises - Yes it can help!

But please stop bouncing (unless it's relaxing and helpful you can put it into your routine!) To help baby move down and engage, much like curb walking you want to be moving in a way that promotes dynamic flexibility of your hips, pelvis and abdomen. One of the best movements is making biiiig figure 8's in both directions. Some think about these as making infinity symbols, either way you look at them, the goal is to keep your pelvis mobile! Talk to your provider about any issues with birthing ball exercises or limitations to your exercise, but if they clear you for movement try to stay as mobile as you can!

Massage by a licenced pregnancy masseuse - Yes it can help!

Especially if baby is breech positioned, a pregnancy massage can help loosen the pelvis, hips, and uterus to encourage baby to 'flip.' Relaxation is a vital part of labor readiness, so even if your baby is already vertex (head down) a massage is great stress relief and prep for labor!

Pineapple - Maybe helps

This particular one got started when it was discovered that pineapple contains prostaglandins. However, eating the prostaglandins doesn't make it all reach your cervix (and I always emphasize this, pineapple does NOT go anywhere except in the mouth!) You can get hydrated and go for it on pizza, in smoothies, raw or fruit cocktail; all assuming you aren't allergic to it! It is not proven to work, but sometimes the need to feel like you're trying is power enough!

Prunes - Yes it can help!

It has been studied in small cohorts that eating 6 dates a day beginning 4-6 weeks prior to full term may help the cervix be more prepared and ready for labor at term, but is not considered a true 'labor induction' method and more a potential assistant to a favorable cervix at full term to go into labor, especially if induction is needed.

Spicy foods - No Help

This is a strong tale that comes up often. Much like castor oil, spicy foods mimick the signs of labor, but it doesn't promote hormonal changes to signal labor. It can also be very uncomfortable side effects! Unless you are craving that spicy meal, pass this one by!

Other Notes

• Less a labor induction practice and more a note for if you are reaching close to 40 weeks and baby is still floating high, doing the 'Miles circuit' is often recommended to bring baby into the correct position of engagement in the pelvis.

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• For babies who are stubbornly breech, you may look into spinning babies exercises, Webster chiropractic method, and some other possibilities include putting a wrapped ice pack on top of your bump so baby flips, playing music low on your bump so baby might want to flip and go towards the sound, and moxibustion have all been used to moderate success. Medical intervention is known as an ECV - External Cephalic Version where doctors attempt from the outside of your bump to turn baby head down.

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• TIME - the hardest intervention to apply but yes it can help! Relaxation and the cognitive acceptance that labor comes on its own timeline, and giving over that control can unlock a gate in your brain that can be stopping you unconsciously. Taking the days as the come and doing whatever makes you feel like you're making an impact is using time to your advantage. Labor is a complex process of many signals and steps that we can't consciously force. There are signals from the baby both in their brain and from their lungs that signal to the pregnant person's body that they are ready, and then the pregnant person's body has to start getting geared up to get labor going. Time is wildly underutilized in labor prep and labor. It took 10 months to grow that babe, it's normal and natural to take a couple days for your body to be ready to conclude its pregnancy duties!

Good luck and best wishes for spontaneous labor starting soon and a smooth delivery!