The last weeks of pregnancy are days of anticipation where you want the baby to be born as soon as possible and without any complications. If you are past 36 weeks, you may try a few home remedies that will help kick-start the labor as fast as possible.
However, these methods may or may not start a labor and must be adopted if you have had a comparatively normal pregnancy without any complications. It is not advisable to try these methods if you have complications in your pregnancy.
Tips To Induce Labor Naturally
1. Walking
Walking is a natural way to induce labor and has many other benefits as well during pregnancy. Walking eases the pelvic muscles and helps in opening the cervix during the last days of pregnancy. Walking will also help you to add strength to your body that will help in dealing with stress of labor. The movement of your hips while walking will also help the baby get into the right position and also helps in the dilation process as well. The pressure on the back is also relieved while walking.
2. Climbing Stairs
Climbing stairs is another way to induce labor and works in almost the same manner as walking. Climbing moves the hip muscles and widens them to accommodate the process of labor. When the baby moves down into position, the climbing action will exert more pressure on the already softened cervix and may induce labor naturally. Remember not to climb the stairs if you have complications.
3. Castor Oil
Castor oil has been used for thousands of years for stimulation of the intestine, which in turn stimulates the uterus, thereby starting labor. Two tablespoons of castor oil can be taken along with a juice of your choice to mask its unpleasant taste. Castor oil can cause diarrhea and cramping and this will also cause the uterus to get stimulated. Uterine stimulations will cause the release of prostaglandins and this will induce labor as well.
4. Evening Primrose Oil
A good source of prostaglandins, evening primrose oils too help in inducing labor naturally and in ripening the cervix, readying it for delivery. You can start taking evening primrose oil from the 34th week. Take two capsules for five hundred milligrams every day to start prostaglandin production in the body. Once you reach the 38th week, increase this to four tablets a day. You can also start using capsules inside your vagina during this time. A perineal massage with evening primrose oil too can help speed up the process. You may apply some into the cervix as well if possible.
5. Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is known to start strong contractions and hence great for inducing labor. It can be taken as a tincture with fifteen tinctures of blue cohosh every hour. Continue this for one day and wait for the contractions to start. Leave a gap of one day and start the routine again until the labor starts. It is best to get a herbalist’s opinions before starting on black cohosh as it can cause thinning of blood and may be dangerous in some cases of pregnancy.
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6. Blue Cohosh
Blue cohosh works in almost the same manner as black cohosh and also helps in attaining contractions and aiding the softening of the cervix, thereby helping in the process of labor. Black and blue cohoshes are generally taken together for best results. After every dose of black cohosh, you can take ten tinctures of blue cohosh after every half an hour. Again, best to seek the help of a herbalist before taking blue cohosh.
7. Intercourse
Sexual intercourse is another natural way to start your labor. Though intercourse is not directly responsible for inducing labor, the act helps in the release of oxytocin, a natural form of picotin, which is used for inducing labor in hospitals. Oxytocin is released when a woman attains orgasm. Intercourse also helps by providing prostaglandins through semen that help in the dilation of the cervix. Semen is one of the richest sources of prostaglandins and those women who are waiting for their delivery can try intercourse as a way of inducing labor.
8. Nipple Stimulation
Stimulating your nipples is another way to induce contractions and release oxytocin as well. Nipple stimulation can be done as part of the sexual activity or the nipples can be sucked for fifteen minutes every hour for inducing labor. One nipple at a time must be stimulated every hour. You may use a breast pump or rub your nipples and areola in a circular motion to stimulate the nerves and release oxytocin. For many women, this is also a way to attain orgasm, which too releases oxytocin. According to many women, this can lead to very strong contractions and soften the cervix.
9. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Red raspberry leaf tea is a great way to ready your uterus for delivery and aid in its contractions a well. Used for ages by native Americans and a regular herbal remedy used by midwives as well, red raspberry leaf tea helps in the toning of the uterine walls and this will help in the better functioning of the uterus during labor. The tea helps in the shrinking of the uterus and this will also help in the uterus to shrink back to its original size after delivery as well.
10. Acupressure
Acupressure too can help in inducing labor. Go up four finger widths above your inner ankle bone and press and rub this area in a circular motion to initiate a contraction. Once you get a contraction, wait for the contraction to stop before you stimulate the area. Another pressure point is the webbed area between your thumb and index finger. Pinch this area or rub in a circular motion for half a minute and then give a gap of one minute before you stimulate again.
11. Use A Birthing Ball
Sitting on a birthing ball all throughout the day too is known to help open the pelvis and start contractions. Sitting on a birthing ball will help the baby to move down and the pressure on the pelvis will help in the dilation of the cervix as well.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.