Ways to help induce labor

Ok, so I've had a lot of friends who are pregnant and cant wait to have their baby... I've emailed this info to a bunch of people, but I figure I should just blog about it so its more readily available. I got this article when I was pregnant with my last and I've edited it a lot from my own experiences. Plus I added some things.
*Warning, this contains TMI for some people...

Induce Labor Naturally

 

1. Acupressure - There are pressure points in the shoulder well, webbing between thumb and forefinger, heel and small of back.

2. Massage - Find a massage therapist qualified to work with pregnant women. Many will know various points to massage to induce labor. (I have a specific program for inducing labor that includes acupressure and reflexology. Look up Tachi Massage on Facebook)

3. Basil - Throw some in your cooking. (Just a hint, all the edible things take a long time to work, but if you do most of them every day they will work. I’d start eating them from week 36-37 on)

4. Black/Blue Cohosh - Taken in tea form is a common way to induce labor. Some midwives use it even during labor to increase slow contractions. I'd recommend research first.

5. Bath! - Taking a bath can really help with slow labor, it can also stop Braxton hicks if you can’t tell if it’s real labor or not.

6. Bouncing on birth/exercise ball - Spreading your legs as well as the moving up and down can help the baby move down. (I loved using my birth ball during labor as well!)

7. Bumpy car ride - Sometimes the baby just needs a bit of a jiggle!

8. Castor oil - Statistically speaking it only works on 65-75% of women and causes lovely things like diarrhea. The theory is that the cramps in the bowel set off contractions. Opinion is still out on whether castor oil causes babies to pass meconium in the womb but a) most women using castor oil are overdue and b) babies that are overdue are more likely to pass meconium so you do the math! (Personally my first baby had meconium and my second baby didn’t… with the second one I used Castor oil and with the first I didn’t! If you really, really want to go into labor, do this! )Hint: mix it with a chocolate shake and it doesn't taste as bad!

9. Chinese food - Not sure why, but some people have claimed this works well. Worth a try!

10. Clary Sage essential oil - Make sure to use a pure essential oil. DoTerra or Young Living are the best. Rub on your belly and the side of your heels.

11. Dancing - Pole dancing might be a bit much! But if you get in there and swing your hips around a lot, there's a chance baby might think about coming out. (dancing can move the baby down, look up youtube videos of pregnant women dancing, Awesome)

12. Eggplant - Many people swear by eggplant parmesan.

13. Evening primrose oil - Can be taken orally from 35 weeks and used internally (good idea to do this at night and use a panty liner) from 38 weeks. It's meant to soften the cervix so that even if you do get induced, the doctor may be able to break your waters and not need any further intervention to bring on labor.

14. Galloping - Many women claim that imitating a horse can help start labor.

15. Squats - Doing a few of these each day often helps to move the baby down and into position.

16. Golden seal - Taken in tablet form is easiest.

17. Kneeling on all fours - A friend of a friend was told to do this. Swing the hips back and forth. Her waters broke just a few minutes later. Coincidence? Maybe!

18. Licorice - Try to get the natural kind - it contains more licorice and usually less sugar. Like castor oil, some people claim that the slightly laxative effect can cause cramps in the bowel which lead to contractions. (I started eating licorice everyday starting at week 37)

19. Mandarin oil on heels - Had a friend recommend this, but worth a try!

20. Balsamic Vinegar - Add a dash to your salad. Definitely won't hurt to try!

21. Motherwort - Taken in tea or pill form.

*Warning: TMI

22. Nipple stimulation - A study out of Britain showed breast stimulation worked as well as pitocin induced childbirth. The optimal amount was 15 minutes on and 45 minutes off for up to 4 hours. (Thanks Megan for the info!)

23. Sperm - If you feel up to sex, this is a good start towards getting ready for labor. The sperm helps soften and dilate the cervix.

24. Orgasm - Orgasms cause contractions, which is part of what feels so good. That's why many women enjoy orgasms more during pregnancy!

25. Pineapple - Best taken fresh and raw. Statistically speaking, the chemicals which pineapple contain, which are said to start labor aren't very high. So that means about 5-7 pineapples should put you into labor!

26. Quinine - Not quite sure how it works but I've read that it is used in various countries - either pill or liquid form.

27. Raspberry leaf - Taken either as a tea or pill. Start at about 34 weeks - opinion is divided as to whether it will start labor, but it definitely strengthens the uterus, leading to a (hopefully) shorter labor, because each contraction can achieve more. (I took this every week I was pregnant. It helps shorten labor! Its really good for you)

28. Relaxation exercises - Try some relaxing music and just lie back or even join a meditation class. (Worrying too much about going into labor can STOP it! So don’t stress, your baby will come when he/she is ready!)

29. Oregano - Throw some in your cooking! Also a good idea to take Oregano oil pills before a meal. (When I had slow labor I put some oregano and basil in my bath and it sped my labor as soon as I got out!)

30.Spicy food - A very well known labor starter! The reason it works may be because of the upset it causes to the digestive system which then upsets the uterus.

31. Deep Breathing excersises – Breath in to the count of 4 and exhale through mouth to 8 counts. Picture baby descending like an elevator.

32. Squaw Vine - Old remedy. Not sure how well it works.

33. Stretch and sweep of membranes - Your midwife or doctor can perform this simple procedure. A finger is inserted into the cervix and a gentle 'sweep' of the finger slightly separates the uterus wall and amniotic sac, sometimes leading to labor within hours or days. Some women say it's an easy, painless procedure, others claim it can be very painful. How well it works can also depend on if you are very far dilated or not.

34. Swimming - Relaxed swimming can help bring out the baby - both the water and the movement help.

35. Swinging on a swing - Similar to a bumpy car ride but probably a bit easier on mum.

36. Thyme Tea - Worth a try!

37. Visualization exercises - Many women swear by these. Try making a recording of yourself talking about the baby moving down, preparing to be born etc or just imagine it in your head.

38. Walking - The bumping up and down can help the baby move into the birth canal. In fact, this is one of the few ways that most doctors agree on for starting labor.

39. Walking up/down stairs - More bumping up and down! The further lifting of the legs can help with moving the baby if walking doesn't seem to.

40. Yoga - Many places offer special classes for all stages of pregnancy.