The last few weeks of your pregnancy can certainly drag by, especially if you feel uncomfortable or are lacking in sleep! You’ll be excited to meet your new baby and anxious to induce labor and delivery. So what can you do naturally to help bring labor on?
Natural Ways to Induce Labor – Walking:
Walking helps regulate your contractions and the natural movement of your hips helps to bring the baby into proper alignment. By being upright you are also using gravity to bring your baby downward. Just don’t exhaust yourself TOO early!
Natural Ways to Induce Labor – Sex:
Although this may be the last thing that you want to do, making love can help induce labor! Your partner’s semen (which contains prostaglandins) can stimulate contractions.
Natural Ways to Induce Labor – Nipple Stimulation:
Stimulation of the nipples releases oxytocin, which is a natural form of pitocin. Oxytocin causes contractions, which can sometimes induce labor. Gently roll the nipple and stop when you feel contractions. If this is going to work, you will generally feel contractions within 20 minutes.
Natural Ways to Induce Labor – Spicy Foods:
Some women swear by eating spicy foods! I personally haven’t had this option work for me, and it often leaves me with indigestion or heartburn. But if you’re craving spicy hot food, why not give it a try.
Natural Ways to Induce Labor – Castor Oil/Enema:
Using castor oil or doing an enema is often recommended because it is believed to cause spasms in the intestines, which surround the uterus during pregnancy. The hope is that this would then cause contractions. The only problem with castor oil is that it causes you to need to go to the bathroom, which isn’t fun if you quickly go into labor!
Natural Ways to Induce Labor – Black and Blue Cohosh:
These are herbs often used to induce labor. Blue cohosh is used to make contractions stronger, while black cohosh is to regulate the contractions.
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