Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

Inducing Labor Naturally

Are you eager for your baby to arrive? Curious about inducing labor naturally?

There are various "natural methods" of starting labor, none of which are really guaranteed to work (just like chemical methods are not). Some are more invasive than others.

You should always consider carefully why you want to attempt these methods of induction. Your body and your baby know when to be born, even if you're tired of being pregnant! Consider any of these options carefully.

If your body isn't ready a technique probably won't work. There are some that have no side effects that are usually safe to try. Often they're called "old wives tales" to get labor going. There are plenty of old wives tales that help with inducing labor! You've probably already heard them all! And some of them do help with inducing labor naturally - once in awhile ;)

• Walk, walk, and walk some more: Don't exhaust yourself, but a good walk every day helps your body get ready for labor even if it doesn't put you into labor.
• Climb stairs: There are variations to this: climb stairs, go two at a time, climb sideways, always step with the same foot. Along with walking it's good exercise and the movement may help get your baby lower in your pelvis.
• Activity: It's fitting to say that along with climbing or walking any kind of activity can be used for inducing labor naturally. Scrubbing the floor has long been a cited method of going into labor. There are stories of an afternoon spent gardening leading to a joyous birth. You can try cleaning, gardening, dancing, yoga - anything. Just don't wear yourself out. Make it part of your daily routine in late pregnancy.
• Squatting: One of the reasons scrubbing floors and gardening may be infamous for inducing labor naturally is because they require squatting or being on all fours - positions that help open the pelvis and encourage baby to engage. Squatting throughout pregnancy is a great idea anyways - it helps your baby to move into the right position.
• Have sex: This is a classic. And it can work. There's evidence to show it helps ripen your cervix even if it doesn't kick start labor. Stay lying down for a little while after sex. Semen has natural prostaglandins that will coat your cervix.
• Nipple Stimulation: This method of inducing labor naturally involves constant stimulation of the nipples and requires time to work - but if your body is ready, studies show it does work. It can also be used to get a sluggish labor going a bit more strongly.
• Driving on bumpy roads: Some grandmas swear by it! I recall a family member fondly telling me stories of taking a "dune buggy" out to get a labor going! If your baby is in a good position, the jostling of the car may help bring on labor.
• Eating spicy foods: A favorite natural way of inducing labor naturally! Hey, it could work, and it's worth a shot if you like spicy foods. Just don't go overboard, as indigestion is no fun.
• Visualization and Relaxation: Taking the time to simply relax and visualize yourself opening up for your baby may trigger labor. You may want to listen to a guided relaxation or simply your favorite soothing music. Talk to your baby and tell him or her that you are ready to meet him or her!
• Aromatherapy: Sit back and relax with soothing scents like lavender and peppermint. You can inhale them or add them to a warm bath. Or have your partner prepare some warm compresses for you as you do your daily relaxation. Use the time to visualize labor starting.
• Enema: This may not be the most pleasant option, but it has worked for some mothers. Other mothers find they don't like it at all. You can try it if you feel comfortable with it.

More "Invasive" Methods of Inducing Labor Naturally

• Acupuncture/Acupressure: Acupressure is non-invasive, and acupuncture involves having needles inserted at certain points on your body. Consult with a training acupuncturist is you'd like to give this method a try. It's pretty benign and it won't work if your body isn't ready.
• Castor Oil: A traditional favorite for starting labor. Castor oil is actually used as a bowel stimulant, and sometimes has the side effect of getting labor going. Many midwives have good success with it. Others find that it tends to give women horrible indigestion without starting labor. Take into consideration that too much bowel stimulation could leave you weak for labor. If you want to try it, around 1oz in a glass of orange juice or a fruit smoothie is a dose suggested for getting labor going.
• Ripening the Cervix: There are natural substances that can be used to ripen the cervix (besides the aforementioned semen). Borage and flax seed oil, blue and black cohosh tinctures, and evening primrose oil can all be used. Be sure to do thorough research on each one before you decide to do it. It's generally considered safe to begin using these to ripen the cervix after 37 weeks. Often they are used internally against the cervix - however, don't do this if your water has broken.

For more information on breaking the water and sweeping the membranes, along with review of chemical induction methods read inducing labor chemically.