My pregnancies felt long, but my labors were fast!
I was in active labor with my daughter for 6 hours and with my son I was in labor from start to finish in 2 hours.
Check out my Son’s Birth Story: I Gave Birth in the Car During A Pandemic.
I like to give credit to some of the Old Wives Tales I tried (eating pineapples and going for walks), but most medical professionals would say it was just coincidence. The truth is it might just be good timing that put me into labor.
Are you pregnant? Do you want to try some Old Wives Tales to induce labor?
Check out my list of Natural Ways to Induce Labor (Or Not)
This list is not from a medical professional and are only to be tried if you are full term. Please make sure to consult your doctor or medical professional before trying any natural remedies if you have a high-risk pregnancy. These are Old Wives Tales and there is no proof they work.
1. Eat Pineapples
I love pineapples whether I’m pregnant or not. Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain that is known to stimulate labor. The Old Wives Tale states that if you eat pineapple once you are full term, it will kick start your labor.
Unfortunately, there’s no studies that prove this works. Eating too much pineapple can trigger an upset stomach and make an already pregnant mama even more uncomfortable.
2. Eat Spicy Foods
You could try heading to the local Thai restaurant to load up on some spicy foods or add some hot sauce to your meals. While you may be willing to do anything to start labor, this is not recommended. Most women suffer from heartburn during pregnancy, and this could make it worse.
If you want to have a little bit of spice to try it, have at it, but it’s not recommended to overindulge.
3. Go for a Walk
This was my favorite way to attempt to induce labor. I tried to stay active while pregnant to keep myself in shape and healthy. I did prenatal yoga and went for walks as often as I could with my family during both of my pregnancies.
My daughter’s birthday is the day before my son’s birthday, so we tried to go for walks and enjoy the beautiful weather with her. We went for a nice long walk around the neighborhood on my daughter’s birthday. My walking may have been more of a waddle, but I felt great moving.
The myth is that walking causes gravity to pull the baby down into the birth canal. There is no scientific evidence that this works, but I like to believe that it did.
4. Drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Red Raspberry Leaf tea is known as a natural way to induce labor because it is an herbal supplement. It is known for being a natural form of Pitocin, according to WebMD. (1)
While there are many health benefits to drinking Red Raspberry Leaf Tea, there are many risks to drinking it as well. Please speak to a healthcare professional before drinking it to check for any medication interactions and any medical reasons, which could cause more harm than good.
5. Nipple Stimulation
While you are breastfeeding your child, your body produces oxytocin and prolactin. Oxytocin is important because it causes let down and helps to shrink the uterus back down after childbirth by causing uterine contractions.
This same hormone, known as the “happy hormone” is produced while the nipples are being stimulated during pregnancy. This will cause uterine contractions, which has been thought to help with inducing labor.
If you are full term and looking for a simple way to induce labor, you could try nipple stimulation. It may not induce labor, but it never hurts to try.
6. Go to a Chiropractor
There are many chiropractors who specialize in pregnancy and use safe techniques on pregnant women. It’s recommended to look for a chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy.
My children see a wonderful chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy and pediatrics. She understands the safe techniques used to help with childbirth and can continue to care for the child once you have given birth.
It is not guaranteed you will induce labor this way, but it can help to create a more comfortable and natural delivery.
7. Sex
This is one of the oldest Wives Tales in the book. Women have been having sex to induce labor for a long time. It is one of the most natural ways.
Just like nipple stimulation, your body will create the “happy hormone” oxytocin during intercourse and can help cause contractions. A woman’s orgasm can also cause a uterine contraction.
Another benefit is from male sperm. It contains prostaglandins, which relax tissue, and can soften the cervix.
So, if you’re comfortable having sex and you don’t have a medical reason that tells you not to, it doesn’t hurt to try.
There you have it! 7 Natural Ways to Induce Labor (Or Not).
Feel free to try these ways and let us know in the comments if they worked for you!
