Natural ways to induce labor

Is it possible to induce labor naturally?

Just a week before the birth. You scour the internet looking for a way to have your baby on time. Message boards are full of suggestions for inducing labor "naturally." They range from eating spicy food to castor oil.

But does anything really work? Birthing experts say there is no conclusive evidence.

The only safe and reliable methods of labor induction are medicines administered in the hospital. Only a few non-medical options seem promising but are still pending. Most of the other methods are hearsay, unlikely to help at best, and potentially dangerous.

Possible ways to induce labor naturally

When it comes to inducing labor, the following methods are controversial among obstetricians. Either there is no evidence to support them, or they may work but come with risks. If you plan to try any of these, check with your doctor or midwife first.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture can help induce labor. In parts of Asia, it has been used for centuries to revitalize labor. Some studies show that it may help women with a pregnancy of 40 weeks or less, but may not help induce labor in women with a post-term pregnancy or a pregnancy of 41 weeks or more. More research is needed.

Sex

Another strategy that has received positive feedback from doctors and midwives is to induce labor the same way you started a pregnancy—by having sex.

While there is no evidence that sex can induce labor, there is a good reason for this. Sex releases prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that resemble drugs used to induce labor. If you're comfortable having sex, it doesn't hurt to try. Make sure your water hasn't broken and that your doctor or midwife has given you full permission.

Other methods

Long walks: Walking is good exercise, but experts don't think it will help induce labor.
Spicy food: This is a popular theory, but there is no direct connection between the stomach and the uterus. Thus, there is no reason to think that any particular type of food will cause contractions.
Castor oil: Some experts recommend taking a small amount of castor oil after the 38th week. But castor oil causes diarrhea and can cause dehydration.
Black Cohosh: Some women try to start labor with black cohosh, but doctors warn that the herb contains plant-based chemicals that can act like estrogen in the body.
Evening primrose oil: This herb contains substances that your body converts into prostaglandins, which soften the cervix and prepare it for childbirth.
Red raspberry leaf tea: Some people find that this herbal tea helps induce spontaneous labor. The verdict hasn't been reached yet, but the tea is loaded with iron and calcium, which can be beneficial for mom and baby. Studies show that drinking during pregnancy is safe.

Induction of labor in the hospital

If you are past your due date, your doctor or midwife may recommend that you induce labor in a hospital. Women at high risk of pregnancy may be induced very close to or just before term. Certain risks of complications require induction well before the scheduled date. In a low-risk pregnancy, your doctor may ask you to go up to 42 weeks before inducing labor.

Labor induction usually begins with prostaglandins taken as tablets or injected into the vagina near the cervix. Sometimes this is enough to cause contractions.

If that's not enough to induce labor, the next step is pitocin, a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin. It stimulates uterine contractions. Pitocin should only be given when the cervix is open and ready for delivery.

As the due date approaches, many couples cannot wait until labor begins to finally meet their baby.

And while this is the most exciting time of your life, you can slow down and take your time. Conserve your energy instead of exhausting yourself with plans to start work early.

In other words, sleep while you can!