For those nearing the end of their third trimester, or even surpassing their due date, it can feel like the baby is taking so long to join the world. At this point, you’ve been pregnant for what feels like forever, and you may be interested in trying to induce labor at home.
There are a lot of old wives’ tales and myths about how to jump-start the process. From certain foods to eat that help induce labor to exercises and messages to try, there are a lot of theories. But here’s the lowdown on which ways are scientifically tested and may be proven to help, and which are just wishful thinking.
More from Mom.com: Expensive Baby Products That Are Actually Worth It
When to Even Start
Dates May Be Effective
According to Nebraska Medicine, some research has found that eating dates may help produce “more effective contractions.” Alyssa Fischer added that most of the studies recommended eating around four large dates with pits or six to 10 small pitted dates daily, beginning around 37 weeks. That’s provided you don’t have any diabetic issues, though, since dates are high in sugar.
More from Mom.com: Why (and How) You Should Eat Your Placenta
Licorice Has Also Been Studied
A study of 1,049 Finnish women published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2001 found that those who ate high levels of licorice “were significantly more likely” to have their babies born earlier. One study from decades ago doesn’t necessarily mean this is a foolproof method. But expectant parents can try it if their doctors agree that it’s safe.
Castor Oil & Spicy Foods
Castor oil has laxative properties, and since it “triggers bowel movements, it may also stimulate the uterus, leading to contractions,” per VeryWell Health. However, VeryWell cautioned that taking too much castor oil can potentially harm the baby as well as cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Only take castor oil under the care and advice of a doctor.
Special Restaurant Meals
According to Food & Wine, a number of restaurants across the country boast that their menus contain items that can induce labor. These are anecdotal findings at best (and pretty much just marketing promotions). Interested in trying one near you? The main ones are the salad at Caioti Pizza Cafe in Studio City, California; the shrimp quesadilla at Las Margaritas in Gainesville, Florida; and the pizza at Hawthorne’s New York Pizza and Bar in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Using an Exercise Ball Can Help
Per The Birth Center of New Jersey, gently bouncing on an exercise ball can help to open your pelvis. This encourages the baby to move lower and contractions to start. Use it throughout labor as an active alternative to lying down while contractions are ongoing.
Try These Exercise Ball Moves
The Birth Center of New Jersey said that two potentially helpful prenatal exercises to do with the ball are figure eights and squats.
The figure eight: Sit on the ball, feet flat on the ground, and gently circle your hips around in a figure eight movement. The birth center noted that this can help the baby move into birth position and loosen your pelvic muscles.
Squats: Place the ball against the wall. Then, lean against the ball with your back and squat while keeping your feet shoulder-width apart. This can help strengthen your pelvic and leg muscles prior to labor.
