How Can I Induce Myself into Labor?

Some ways to help trigger labor contractions include walking, sex, nipple stimulation, castor oil, herbal supplements, spicy food, pineapple, acupuncture, acupressure, massage, and meditation.

Toward the end of pregnancy when the due date is near or even passed, mothers are usually tired and ready to deliver their babies. 

There are many natural remedies touted to help induce labor, but most don’t actually work and some may have risks. Even those proven to work will only do so if your body and your baby are ready. 

If you decide you’d like to try to induce labor, talk to your doctor first to make sure it’s safe to do so, and that the method you choose is also reliable. 

11 Ways to Induce Labor at Home

Outside of being induced into labor by a doctor, some ways to help induce yourself into labor include: 

• Walking
  • Gravity and the movement of the hips may help move the baby down into the pelvis
  • The pressure of the baby on the pelvis may help prime the cervix for labor (it may also help move labor along if contractions have started)
  • It has not been proven in any studies to work, but moderate exercise is safe and usually recommended during pregnancy
• Sex
  • Sperm contains hormones called prostaglandins that can help thin and dilate the cervix, which may help it prepare for delivery
  • This method may or may not work; some studies have shown that mothers who have sex late in pregnancy may carry their babies longer 
  • Even if it does not work, this method is not harmful and may help relieve some tension
• Nipple stimulation
  • Massaging or twisting the nipples gently for a few hours each day may help the body release the hormone oxytocin, which can help start contractions
  • This method is often effective, but is not always recommended because it can cause long, strong, and painful uterine contractions that could lower fetal heart rate
• Castor oil
  • Castor oil is a laxative and it can cause spasms in the intestines, which may irritate the uterus and cause contractions to begin
  • Some small studies support this claim; however, it is best to avoid castor oil because if you’re not already in labor it can cause nausea and give you diarrhea just before delivery
• Herbal supplements
  • Evening primrose oil may help thin and dilate the cervix, preparing it for labor
    • Do not take evening primrose oil if you have placenta previa
  • Other herbs such as red raspberry leaf and black cohosh are also touted to help induce labor but there are no studies that confirm their safety, and they may even harm a fetus
    • Black cohosh has been associated with fetal heart failure and stroke as well as maternal complications during labor
  • Talk to your doctor before taking any herbs or supplements during pregnancy
• Spicy food
  • Like castor oil, spicy food may irritate the intestines and cause uterine contractions
  • There is no evidence spicy foods will induce labor
  • For many people, it will only upset the stomach or cause heartburn
• Pineapple
  • The core of a fresh pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain
  • A theory is that the bromelain from the pineapple somehow makes its way to the cervix, causing it to soften and stimulating labor
  • There is no evidence to support this theory as bromelain is not active in an acidic stomach and is only partially absorbed by the body
  • However, it’s fine to eat pineapple if it doesn’t cause heartburn
• Acupuncture
  • Thin needles are inserted into specific pressure points on the body to stimulate the uterus and help induce labor
  • However, if the baby is not yet ready, acupuncture alone will not cause labor to start
• Acupressure
  • This is similar to acupuncture and involves pressure on specific points of the body but using fingertips instead of needles
  • The webbing between the thumb and index finger, and the inside of the leg about four finger-widths above the ankle bone are two pressure points that supposedly help induce labor
  • Talk to your doctor before trying this method
• Massage
  • This can also raise the body's level of oxytocin, which can bring on labor contractions
  • Get a doctor’s approval before trying prenatal massage
• Meditation 
  • Can help with relaxation, which might help release oxytocin 

There are four stages of labor and delivery.

1. First stage

• During this stage, contractions help the cervix to thin (effacement) and start to open (dilation)
• As the cervix dilates, the opening is measured in centimeters (1 centimeter = 0.39 inches) and the cervix will widen to about 10 centimeters
• This stage lasts about 12 to 13 hours for a first child, and 7 to 8 hours for a second child
• The first stage of labor has three parts:
  • 1. Early labor
    • The cervix dilates to about 4 centimeters and the expectant mother will probably still be at home
    • Contractions should be noted but usual activities may be continued along with rest, light meals, and drinking clear fluids if desired
    • When there is a change in frequency, strength, and length of contractions, and when the mother can no longer talk during a contraction, these are signs of active labor
  • 2. Active labor 
    • Cervix dilates to 7 cm and the expectant mother should go to the hospital
    • When contractions occur every 3 to 4 minutes and last about 60 seconds, this means the cervix is dilating faster 
    • The water may break during this stage, and contractions will speed up
    • Trying to relax in between contractions can conserve energy and help the cervix dilate
  • 3. Transition to the second stage
    • Cervix dilates to its fullest, at about 10 cm
    • This is often the most painful part of labor and contractions come about every 2 to 3 minutes and last 60 to 90 seconds each
    • People may feel overwhelmed by the contractions and exhausted as there is little time to rest
       

2. Second stage

• The cervix is completely dilated and contractions help move the baby through the birth canal for delivery
• Intense pressure may be felt, similar to an urge to have a bowel movement
• The mother may be asked to push with each contraction, which will continue to be strong but will be more spaced out
• The length of this stage depends on whether someone has given birth before, and if so, how many times, and the position and size of the baby

3. Third stage

• After the birth, the uterus continues contracting to push out the placenta (afterbirth)
• The placenta is typically delivered about 5 to 15 minutes after the baby arrives

4. Fourth stage

• This is the recovery stage
• The baby is delivered and the placenta is expelled
• Most babies are ready to breastfeed shortly after birth and those who plan to breastfeed may be encouraged to try to nurse as soon as possible to help the uterus contract and decrease the amount of bleeding