Funny Ways to Induce Labor That Dont Work

There are many ways to induce labor, some more successful than others. If you are close to or past your due date, you can try to induce labor naturally. Be sure you talk to your midwife or doctor first before trying to induce labor on your own.

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Optimal Positioning

Before you can think about inducing labor, you want to ensure that your baby is the optimal position. This is more than just making sure baby is head down. You also want baby to descend or "drop" so the head puts pressure against the cervix, eventually leading to dilation and effacement (thinning).

Birth Ball

Sitting on a birth ball (which is essentially a yoga ball) can help open your hips, allowing the baby to enter the pelvis. Many pregnant people will combine a series of bouncing, hip circles, and figure-eight movements to encourage their babies to descend. What's more, the birth ball may also be a helpful tool to cope with contractions while you are in labor too.

Walking

Walking is another way to use gravity and your musculature to help your baby to descend into the pelvis.

Stairs

Walking: now with stairs! Your provider may even advise you to stake the stairs sideways, which will enable you to open your pelvis to either the left or the right. Since the pelvis has different grooves to navigate, babies usually descend AND rotate to one side or the other in preparation for labor.

Chiropractor

Seeing a licensed chiropractor regularly during pregnancy may not only decrease your discomfort in pregnancy but may also help balance the pelvis. Choose a chiropractor who is proficient in the Webster technique, and you may have a greater chance of getting your baby into the optimal position for birth.

Cervical Ripening

Before you go into labor, your cervix must be favorable or "ripe." A ripe cervix is often already slightly dilated, effaced, and softer. If you're eager to induce labor but your cervix is still closed, you'll need to encourage the cervix to ripen first.

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil can be taken orally or inserted vaginally to help ripen the cervix. There is limited scientific evidence on whether this is safe or effective. Some providers may recommend a dosage of 1000mg to 3000mg vaginally per night depending on where you are in your pregnancy.

Membrane Sweep

Membrane sweeping (also known as membrane stripping) is something your provider can do to encourage labor without using medication. This can only be done if the cervix is already dilated at least 1 centimeter. Your midwife or doctor will inserted two gloved fingers into the vagina and then one or two fingers through the cervix in an effort to "sweep" the membranes of the amniotic sac away from the inside of the uterus. This may stimulate the production of prostaglandins, which help ripen the cervix. If your cervix is already ripe, this may be enough to induce your labor. The procedure may be painful and may cause you to cramp afterward, so this should only be done with your informed consent.

Acupressure/Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese Medicine guides the principles behind acupuncture and acupressure. These practices are though to stimulate hormones or the nervous system. There is some evidence to suggest that they may be successful in ripening the cervix to prime it for labor. In particular, points LI4 and SP6 are associated with labor induction. LI4 (pictured above) is located in the triangle of tissue between the thumb and index finger. SP6 is located on the inner aspect of either leg, about 1 hand width above the ankle bone.

Massage

In a similar vein, massage may also help you get ready for labor. Shiatsu massage of the hands, feet, and legs can incorporate the same pressure points as described above.

Eating Dates

Eating dates every day may help you ripen cervix or increase your chances of spontaneous labor. This is not a method to jolt you into labor but rather a way to get your cervix to a favorable state. Some pregnant people may start consuming several dates a day at 36 or 37 weeks of pregnancy. Keep in mind that eating dates would not be recommended for someone with gestational diabetes.

Inducing Labor

Sex

Probably the most fun way to induce labor! If you have a male partner, prostaglandins present in his semen may help ripen your cervix. When you orgasm, your body will release oxytocin. Oxytocin acts on the uterus, causing it to contract. It's part cervical ripening and part labor inducing.

Nipple Stimulation

Stimulating the nipples releases oxytocin, the hormone that causes uterine contractions. To stimulate the nipples, pregnant people can either use a breast pump or they can pinch, roll, or gently tug on the nipples. There are many different recommendations for "dosages," such as stimulation for 15 minutes alternating between breasts for 1 hour or stimulation for 1 minute on each nipple every 5 minutes for 1 hour. Because there is a risk of overstimulating the uterus, this method may not be recommended for people who have had C-sections before. You may also be advised to stop if you experience contractions that come more frequently than every 3 minutes or if they last longer than 1 minute.

Castor Oil

One of the most popular ways to induce labor, ingesting castor oil will irritate the bowels. In turn, this causes frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, and ultimately cramping/contractions. It may be ingested as part of a "midwife's brew" or mixed with orange juice, scrambled eggs, or ice cream. A typical dose would not exceed 60ml (4 tablespoons) in a 24 hour period.

Science Says No

The rest of these methods are common suggestions, but the evidence is not really there to support their use in inducing labor. That said, it wouldn't hurt to try any of these suggestions (unless, of course, spicy foods trigger your acid reflux).

Eating Pineapple

Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain, which is thought to aid in cervical ripening. Has science actually shown this method to work though? In human trials, not so much.

Eating Spicy Food

Eating spicy food is thought to induce labor in much the same way as castor oil. Because capsaicin (the substance that makes spicy food spicy) can irritate the bowels, it is assumed that it may also cause cramping and uterine contractions. However, there is no good evidence to prove this.

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Some people think that drinking red raspberry leaf tea will help induce labor. This tea is a uterotonic, meaning that it can help tone the uterus and strengthen its ability to contract. But will it get you into labor? Don't get your hopes up.

Did you try any of these methods to induce your labor at home? Let me know in the comments below what worked for you!

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Source: https://midwifical.com/induce-labor-naturally-15-ideas-to-get-baby-out/