The last few weeks of pregnancy can be physically (and mentally) exhausting, which is why most moms-to-be start an unofficial "countdown to baby" once they hit their third trimester. But what happens when your due date comes and goes with still no baby in sight? Naturally, you grow a little impatient.
The good news is, the internet is chock-full of "creative" ideas for kickstarting labor. And while some of them seem to be pure fiction (like eating spicy foods), other tips and tricks actually have some scientific merit.
So if your baby-to-be is late to the party — and you're scratching your head over how you can "encourage" the little one's arrival — scroll on for some easy ways to naturally induce labor that real moms (and even experts) swear by.
1. Sex
We get it — when you're peeing every five minutes and your body feels like a giant balloon that's ready to pop, having sex is probably the last thing on your mind. But if you're closing in on your due date and growing desperate for your baby to arrive, you may not want to dismiss this one too quickly.
According to Healthline, studies have shown that having sex after the 36th week of pregnancy may in fact stimulate labor in a variety of ways. For starters, semen contains something called prostaglandins, which are lipid compounds that produce hormone-like effects. During sex, the semen is deposited near the cervix and the prostaglandins are released — at which point they can help ripen (or soften) the cervix in prep for delivery.
In addition, female orgasms may also help stimulate uterine contractions, which can speed up labor. During the orgasm, the body releases oxytocin, which is a natural form of Pitocin, a hormone commonly used by doctors to induce labor or strengthen contractions.
2. Nipple Stimulation
Once again, the last thing you may want right now is anyone touching your boobs, which are likely double their usual size and extra tender. But this little "trick" doesn't have to be sexual. In fact, many moms-to-be have brought labor on all by themselves, by rubbing or rolling their nipples at home to release oxytocin and speed up labor.
In one 2015 study, which examined 390 pregnant Turkish women, the moms-to-be were assigned to three different groups: nipple stimulation, uterine stimulation, and a control group. Believe it or not, women in the nipple stimulation group had the shortest durations of each phase of labor and delivery.
3. Exercise
Don't worry — you don't need to do a full-on Zumba class to make this one work for you. Simply go for a walk, bounce on a yoga ball, stretch your body, and/or squat in place. The objective here is to get your body moving, and send it the message that you are officially ready.
The movement will help with cervical dilation and allow the baby to gradually drop down in the pelvis, making its journey through the birth canal possible.
4. Herbs & Oils
When it comes to herbal supplements and other natural remedies, we've heard it all. Some moms have chugged a glass of castor oil (which, FYI, also gets things moving in the bowels — so beware. Others swear by evening primrose oil, which can either be applied directly to the cervix or taken in capsule form.
The science on all of this remains mixed, though. According to Healthline, a small study conducted in 1999 found that more than half of pregnant women who were given castor oil in their third trimester gave birth within 24 hours. But more than a decade later, a separate larger-scale study determined that the "effectiveness of this compound to induce labour remains sparse."
As for evening primrose, there is some evidence to suggest that it does help the cervix soften and thin out, and a few studies found that it can also help shorten labor duration. That said, there just haven't been enough formal studies done yet to confirm this.
5. Acupressure
Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice that treats "blocked energy" by applying manual pressure to specific points on the body. Not to be confused with acupuncture — which uses needles — acupressure uses the fingertips, and is said to help with a wide range of conditions, including motion sickness and muscle pain.
When it comes to late-stage pregnancy, acupressure practitioners claim that applying pressure to areas of the body can help bring on labor in a matter of days or even hours. That said, it's important to note that the science on this one is still somewhat iffy.
According to massage expert Michelle Ebbin, the hollow areas just under your ankle bones are believed to correspond with the ovaries and uterus. So if you're interested to see what happens, either look into acupressure specialists near you or try massaging and/or pressing firmly on these spots yourself at home.
6. Talk to the Baby
this one sounds a little "woo-woo," that's because it kind of is. Still, when some moms find themselves uncomfortably overdue, they're willing to try (almost) anything — and you might be getting to this point.
If you're already in the habit of talking to your unborn baby while rubbing your belly, you might as well go with it and say what you're really thinking right now: "WHY WON'T YOU COME OUT?!" (Just kidding — kind of.)
In all seriousness, though, let the little one know you're excited to meet her and that the whole family can't wait for her arrival. Speak in soothing, reassuring tones, and encourage your little one to make her debut sooner rather than later if she can. If nothing else, you’ll feel even more connected to your baby, and ease yourself into the mindset of having a new kiddo Earthside.
7. Above All Else … Remain Calm
Remember, none of these methods will work if your cervix isn’t ripe and your body isn't actually ready for delivery. Your doctor or midwife might have other ideas about kicking off labor if you’re truly overdue (from sweeping/stripping your cervix to good ol’ Pitocin). But either way, make sure to speak with a medical professional before you try any of these methods — especially if your pregnancy is high risk. Ultimately, your health and safety (as well as your baby's) is the most important thing.
— Additional writing and reporting by Amy Keyishian
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
