15 Effective Tips To Help Induce Labor Naturally

As an expectant mother, I was eagerly anticipating the arrival of my little one. I had read countless articles on pregnancy, and I believed that I would give birth before or on my due date. However, as my due date was approaching, there was no sign of labour coming any time soon. Even my mother, who had been pregnant with me, went almost two weeks overdue, so I was worried that I might follow in her footsteps.

The discomfort of pregnancy had started to take its toll after the 36th week, and I was willing to try anything to kickstart the labour process. I did my research and tried almost all the remedies I could find on the internet - from eating spicy foods to doing the Miles Circuit. However, to be honest, it was sex that seemed to be working the best. 🙈

In this blog post, I want to share with you some of the other remedies that I tried or read about, from eating whole pineapple, the Miles Circuit, or eating kiwis with the skin. While these remedies may not work for everyone, they are worth considering for expectant mothers who are eager to start labour. However, it's important to remember that natural labour will happen when your body and baby are ready, and interventions to artificially start labour can increase the risk of complications.

So, if you're an expectant mother who is eagerly awaiting the arrival of your little one, and are looking for natural ways to start labor, then read on.

1. Exercise

Regular exercises, such as walking or prenatal yoga, can help to prepare your body for labour and potentially help to get labour started. Exercise can help to improve circulation, increase energy levels, and promote overall health and well-being. Aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day, and talk to your healthcare provider about the types of exercise that are safe for you during pregnancy.

2. Nipple Stimulation

Stimulating your nipples by gently rubbing or rolling them can help to release oxytocin, a hormone that can stimulate contractions. You can stimulate your nipples by using your fingers or a breast pump. However, it's important to be cautious with nipple stimulation, as it can sometimes cause contractions to become too strong or too frequent.

Expressing colostrum, the first milk that your breasts produce can also be a form of nipple stimulation. This can be done by hand or with a breast pump and can help to release oxytocin and potentially stimulate labour. In addition, involving your partner in this technique can be a great way to bond and potentially induce labour at the same time. Who knows, they might be more than happy to lend a hand, or two!

3. Spicy Foods

Eating spicy foods can help to stimulate your digestive system, which may in turn stimulate your uterus and potentially help to start labor. If you're considering trying spicy foods as a way to start labour, make sure to choose something that you can tolerate and that doesn't cause heartburn or indigestion.

I tried eating the hottest Nando's chicken wings to see if it would help induce labour. Let me tell you, I was tearing up and had to blow my nose in between each wing! While it was a spicy and memorable experience, unfortunately, it didn't seem to help start my labour. Well, I went into labour 3 days after...

4. Sex

Having sex can help to stimulate contractions by releasing prostaglandins, a hormone that helps to ripen the cervix and prepare it for labour. Additionally, orgasms can help to stimulate the uterus and potentially help to start labour. It's important to note that prostaglandins are found in semen, so for sex to be effective in inducing labour, the partner would need to ejaculate inside the vagina. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or complications.

5. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Drinking red raspberry leaf tea can help to tone your uterus and potentially help to get labour started. It's believed to contain compounds that help to stimulate contractions and prepare the uterus for labour. However, it's important to be cautious with herbal remedies, as they can sometimes have side effects or interact with other medications.

One thing to note about red raspberry leaf tea is that it doesn't have much of a taste on its own. However, you can add a twist to it by mixing it with the juice from half a lemon, a bit of honey, and some ice cubes. It became my favourite summer drink, and I didn't go anywhere without my tumbler with straw and raspberry leaf tea in it. I drank daily 3-4 cups. This can make for a refreshing and healthy summer drink, even if you're not trying to induce labour.

6. Pineapple

Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which may help to soften the cervix and potentially stimulate labour. However, it's important to be cautious with pineapple, as it can sometimes cause heartburn or indigestion. I think I was eating more pineapples during the end of my pregnancy than ever before in my life with no effect.

7. Miles Circuit

The Miles Circuit is a series of exercises designed to help reposition the baby and potentially help to start labour. It involves a series of movements that help to open the pelvis, encourage the baby to move into the correct position and stimulate contractions. Talk to your healthcare provider or a trained doula to learn more about the Miles Circuit and how to perform it safely.

8. Curb Walk

Walking on a curb or stairs can help to stimulate contractions by increasing the pressure on your cervix. It's believed to help the baby move into the correct position and encourage labour to start. However, it's important to be cautious with curb walking, as it can sometimes cause dizziness or other complications.

I didn't find this technique helpful. Despite the fact, that I and my partner went out for 30 minutes of curb walking even in the middle of the night when I experienced Braxton Hicks contractions.

9. Kiwi with skin

Eating kiwis with their skin may help to stimulate contractions, as the skin is high in a hormone called serotonin. Serotonin is believed to help stimulate the uterus and encourage labour to start. However, it's important to be cautious with kiwis, as they can sometimes cause allergic reactions or other complications. I know that some people eat kiwis with skin even when they are not trying to induce labour, but personally, I'm not a fan of that. However, when I was at the end of my pregnancy and desperate to go into labour, I was willing to try anything.

10. Hot Bath

Taking a hot bath or shower can help to relax your body and potentially stimulate contractions. The warm water can also help to ease any discomfort or pain you may be experiencing. However, it's important to be cautious with hot baths, as they can sometimes cause dehydration or other complications. It's also recommended to avoid hot baths if your water has already broken, as it can increase the risk of infection.

11. Long walks

Taking long walks can help stimulate contractions by increasing the pressure on your cervix and encouraging the baby to move into the correct position. Walking can also help to release endorphins, which can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation. However, it's important to be cautious with long walks, especially in late pregnancy, as they can sometimes cause fatigue or put too much pressure on your body. It's recommended to wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated while walking. It's important to listen to your body and rest when needed.

My partner hated walking, but I made him walk with me almost every day around my due date, and we even walked 12 km one day. It not only helped to stimulate contractions but also helped us bond and enjoy some quality time together before the baby arrived.

I must admit, there were some natural remedies that I read about during my pregnancy, but I simply didn't want to try them for personal reasons. For instance, I have an aversion to the texture of dates, so I wasn't keen on eating them despite hearing about their potential to stimulate labour. Likewise, other remedies didn't appeal to me or that I was unsure about. Nonetheless, I still found it interesting to learn about these methods and their potential benefits.

12. Dates

Eating dates during pregnancy may also help to induce labour and potentially make labour shorter. Dates are believed to contain compounds that can stimulate contractions and help to ripen the cervix. In fact, one study found that pregnant women who ate six dates per day during the last four weeks of pregnancy were more likely to go into labour spontaneously, were less likely to need induction of labour, and had a shorter first stage of labour compared to women who didn't eat dates.

13. Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is a dietary supplement that is thought to help soften the cervix and potentially help stimulate labour. It contains a fatty acid called acid (GLA), which may help to promote cervical ripening. However, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements, as they can sometimes have side effects or interact with other medications.

14. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture may help to stimulate contractions and help with cervical ripening. Talk to a licensed acupuncturist to see if acupuncture is right for you during pregnancy.

15. Okra water

Another traditional method that some people believe can help to induce labour is okra water. This is made by soaking cut okra pods in water overnight and then drinking the infused water. While okra does contain compounds that may help stimulate the uterus and ripen the cervix, there isn't much scientific evidence to support this method. It's also worth noting that okra water can have side effects such as diarrhoea or allergic reactions.

It's important to remember that every woman's body and pregnancy are different, and what works for one woman may not work for another. Ultimately, it's important to trust that your baby and body know the best time for labour to start, and to have patience and trust the natural process.

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