How to Induce Labor: Helpful Methods

Labor is a natural part of the pregnancy and childbirth process that often takes between 2 to 18 hours, sometimes even longer. The duration of labor is often shorter for women who have already given birth to a child compared to women who are giving birth for the first time.

The due date of delivery, or when your baby might arrive, is an educated guess calculated based on the date of your last menstrual period and ultrasonography findings. If you are already full-term, you can try safe, natural ways to induce labor. However, you should always consult with your medical professionals before trying to induce labor to avoid any medical risks to you or the unborn baby.

Here are some safe and natural ways to induce labor and shorten the period of delivery.

1. Moderate exercise

Pregnant women who are close to full-term can practice low-impact activities to induce labor.

Simple exercises such as walking for 30 minutes about 3 to 4 times a week at a slow to moderate pace starting from the 38th week of pregnancy can be an effective way to induce labor naturally. It might also help reduce the need for interventions during vaginal delivery.

Even if this method does not help start labor, it can provide other benefits, such as stress relief and better stamina, which can make you physically and mentally stronger and healthier.

2. Have sex

Sexual activity can be a great way to induce labor, especially when you are already full-term.

There are several reasons why having sex might initiate labor. For example, sexual activity can result in the release of a hormone called oxytocin, especially when you have an orgasm. The increased secretion of this hormone can stimulate labor contractions, thus inducing labor.

Also, the contact of the cervix to the hormone prostaglandin in semen during and after sex might help to ripen the cervix, thus facilitating smooth labor.

Having intercourse is generally safe during the later weeks of pregnancy. However, you should refrain from intercourse after your water breaks, as it may increase the risk of infection.

It is also important to remember that certain conditions, such as vasa previa and placenta previa, might require you to exercise “pelvic rest.” Your gynecologist may also recommend “nothing per vagina” to reduce the risk of complications if these conditions are detected. Not following these recommendations might lead to severe postpartum hemorrhage and endanger the health of the mother and the baby.

These factors need to be considered before you try sexual intercourse as a method to initiate labor during the last weeks of pregnancy.

3. Nipple stimulation

Stimulation of the nipples can lead to uterine contractions and, thus, induce labor.

Nipple stimulation results in the release of oxytocin. This hormone causes the uterus to contract, initiating labor.

Moreover, oxytocin can also help with breast stimulation to eject milk. This action of oxytocin can be beneficial for you if you plan to breastfeed your baby immediately after delivery.

Nipple stimulation also lowers the need for medical induction and reduces the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

You or your partner can stimulate your nipples manually or do so using a breast pump.

4. Acupuncture and acupressure

Acupuncture and acupressure have been commonly practiced for thousands of years as common methods for inducing labor. These natural induction methods are believed to work by balancing the vital energy in the body.

Acupuncture can increase cervical ripening and bring about favorable changes in hormones and the nervous system, facilitating elective induction and smoother delivery. However, acupuncture for labor induction should ideally be administered by a licensed acupuncturist.

Acupressure can help to relieve pain and discomfort associated with labor by applying pressure to certain pressure points. However, before applying acupressure, you should talk to a trained acupressure expert about the right way to practice this therapy.

5. Eating dates

Eating dates in the final weeks of pregnancy can help induce natural labor and reduce the need for medical intervention.

Dates can promote cervical ripening and induce cervical dilation, making the process of childbirth less painful. Adding dates to your diet can reduce the need for the medication Pitocin during labor. Pitocon is a synthetic hormone oxytocin that stimulates the uterine muscle to help induce labor.

6. Membrane stripping

Membrane stripping is one of the safe and natural methods for inducing labor when performed by an obstetrician.

Your obstetrician might begin membrane stripping about 7 to 10 days before your due date. This process involves the insertion of a finger through the cervical opening. The finger is swept to the right and left in a clockwise motion to separate the membrane from the walls of the uterus.

However, membrane stripping can only be done when the cervix is dilated. Also, though this procedure can stimulate the onset of spontaneous labor, it may also result in vaginal bleeding and membrane rupture.

If you are planning to undergo membrane stripping for inducing labor, you should discuss these risks with your provider to help you decide whether it is the right choice for you.

What triggers labor to start?

The body follows complex internal mechanisms stimulating strong uterine contractions to induce labor. The process of labor, once initiated, may extend for 2 to 18 hours depending on factors such as the number of previous pregnancies and labors, the body weight of the woman, and the baby’s weight.

How to tell if labor is close?

The most common symptoms of labor include pain, cramps, pressure in the lower abdomen, and the loss of mucus plugs.

When is the right time to induce labor?

Most pregnant people can deliver healthy babies about two weeks before or after their expected due date. It is generally advisable to wait until full-term before you choose to induce labor. However, if you are already full-term, you may choose to try natural ways to induce labor.

What are the perks of waiting for natural labor?

It is common for pregnant people to be eager to deliver their babies as soon as possible. This is one of the reasons why women might like to try elective induction methods.

However, there are several benefits associated with natural labor that make it worthwhile to wait for it to happen on its own. For example, women who have natural childbirth are likely to recover more quickly than those who use alternative methods to induce labor.

Also, infants born after a full-term pregnancy experience several benefits as they get to spend more time in the uterus. Some benefits of natural labor for the baby include more time to build strength and muscle mass, reduced risk of jaundice and infection, and better feeding after birth.

Additionally, it has been found that infants born as little as 2 weeks earlier than the due date experience twice the number of complications than those who are born full-term. Hence, the option to choose alternative methods to induce labor should only be exercised after you are full-term and only after consulting your obstetrician.

How to induce labor naturally: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the quickest method to induce labor?

Having sex and membrane stripping are safe and quick methods to initiate labor. However, you should consult your doctor to know whether these methods would be safe and suitable for you. Medical stripping can only be performed by your obstetrician in the hospital or clinic.

How can I open my cervix naturally?

Membrane stripping performed by an obstetrician can be an effective method to open the cervix.

What is the best way to be induced?

Having sexual intercourse, eating dates, and exercising are some methods of inducing labor. However, the safety and effectiveness of these methods should be discussed with your physician beforehand.

Can I use castor oil for labor induction?

Castor oil is commonly used as a natural alternative for inducing labor in women who are full-term or close to full-term. Taking castor oil can create a natural laxative effect that causes pain and irritation in the uterus, resulting in the contractions of the muscles. However, this method is also associated with digestive system discomfort.

Can I eat pineapple for labor induction?

Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme commonly used to tenderize meat. This enzyme can make its way to the cervix and stimulate the breakdown of cervical tissue, causing the tissue to soften. These effects of bromelain can potentially start labor and ease the process of delivery.

Although there is no evidence to support this popular theory, it is worthwhile to try this method as bromelain is associated with several other benefits, thanks to the natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties it possesses.

What herbal remedies can be used for labor induction?

Based on a randomized controlled trial, the use of herbs such as black or blue cohosh, evening primrose oil, and red raspberry leaf tea has shown to be useful for preparing your uterus for labor. However, the safety and effectiveness of these natural remedies is not fully understood.

Can I eat spicy foods for inducing labor?

Eating spicy foods might help to initiate labor by causing stomach upset, leading to the irritation of the uterus and stimulating uterine contractions.

Eating spicy food can also cause significant heartburn, which women are already predisposed to experiencing during pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution and avoid certain foods if you are already experiencing severe symptoms of digestive discomfort before and during your pregnancy.

There are many natural methods you can use to try to induce labor. However, you should consult with your doctor before trying any labor induction methods to ensure the safety of you and your unborn baby.

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