What to do to get the party started!
By the time you’ve reached the last week or two of your third trimester, you’re no doubt ready to have the baby already. It’s been a long few months, and the pregnancy has taken its toll on your body. But what do you do if you want to go the natural route? How can you induce labor without taking medications? Here are a few ways to get labor started naturally:
- Stimulate your nipples – Say what now? It may sound odd, but it works! Nipple stimulation can cause contractions in your uterus, which may be able to induce labor. Try doing it manually or with a breast pump, and it could get labor started naturally. Bonus: Breastfeeding your baby after delivery can help to shrink your uterus back to its original size.
- Exercise – No, you’re not going to do an intense HIIT workout or run a marathon. Not in your condition! But a bit of mild to moderate exercise can help to get labor started the natural way. As you exercise (walk, climb stairs, etc.), gravity pulls on the baby. If the baby descends far enough into the birth canal, it can place pressure on your cervix and cause it to dilate. It may not always work, but it’s worth doing it anyway. Exercise can strengthen your muscles and prepare you for the delivery.
- Membrane stripping – This is a procedure that many OB/GYNs will offer. Basically, the doctor will use their finger (no tools necessary) to pull the amniotic sac away from the uterine wall. This causes prostaglandins to be released, which can lead to delivery. Consult your doctor if you want to try membrane stripping to induce labor naturally.
- Acupressure– Acupressure (applying pressure on key points around the body) is believed to be an effective way to induce labor at the right time. Acupressurists will start working on you around the 37-week mark, applying pressure to the right pressure points. It may be more than just a way to induce labor; it can also help to reduce pain and discomfort caused by the pregnancy.
READ MORE: Eating Dates During Pregnancy May Help Labor Progress
- Acupuncture – Acupuncture stimulates the release of chemicals, specifically one called oxytocin. Oxytocin can help to induce labor without the need for medication. Medical studies have found that acupuncture is as effective as membrane stripping.
- Take a ride – If you want to get labor started, have your husband drive you to the hospital over the bumpiest road he can find! A bumpy car ride is believed to induce labor. It all comes back to gravity pulling the baby downward toward the cervix. However, there isn’t a whole lot of scientific proof to back this claim up. Still, it’s worth a try.
- Eat spicy – Spicy foods do more than just set your mouth on fire; they also stimulate the production of prostaglandins. These hormones are vital for the contractions that lead to childbirth, so eating spicy food may help to bring on labor. However, be warned: spicy food can also increase your risk of acid reflux—a common side effect of being pregnant.
- Drink red raspberry leaf tea – This amazing tea does more than soothe your digestive tract. Taking it with evening primrose oil can help to tone your uterus, make your contractions more regular, and streamline the delivery process. Women who drink this tea before childbirth tend to have an easier time of it.
If you want to get labor started naturally, why not try these simple remedies listed above?
