After nine months of aches, pains and sleepless nights, many pregnant women are anxious for labor to begin. The good news is that there are plenty of methods you can try to induce labor naturally. The bad news? These methods are only effective if your body is ready for labor and there are no guarantees. Dr. Spock recommends waiting until you are at least 40 weeks into pregnancy before trying any of these suggestions since your due date may be off by a few weeks and you don't want to bring your baby into the world before she's ready.
Activities
Sex can stimulate contractions because the prostaglandins in semen help the cervix to ripen and open. Having your nipples touched and having orgasms also releases oxytocin, the hormone that causes contractions. However, you should discuss nipple stimulation with your doctor before trying to use this method to induce labor because doing so may cause very strong and long contractions that can slow down the baby's heart rate, according to Dr. Spock.
If you're not up for sex, just walking around may bring on labor if you're already experiencing contractions because the movement of your hips as well as your upright position helps the baby settle into a birthing position.
Castor Oil
Castor oil has long been relied upon as a natural way to induce labor by stimulating the uterus to produce prostaglandins and bring on contractions; the uterine stimulation is thought to occur because castor oil causes intestinal cramping and diarrhea. To try this method, mix one to 4 oz. of castor oil with orange juice, root beer or apple juice and drink; castor oil has a notoriously foul taste so you won't want to drink it straight. Remember, this method will bring on diarrhea within a few hours so try it on a day when you can stay at home and don't try it before going to bed or you'll be up all night.
Foods
While there is no reliable evidence to support it, many pregnant women swear by eating certain foods for bringing on labor. Spicy foods, eggplant parmesan, pineapple, black licorice and Chinese food are among the top foods said to help get the birth process underway. So, what are the facts behind these foods? The basil and oregano in eggplant parmesan may potentially bring on labor; pineapple produces prostaglandins to help ripen the cervix; and black licorice produces prostaglandins and large amounts can lead to diarrhea which may, in turn, cause contractions. The evidence for Chinese food and spicy foods bringing on labor is merely anecdotal but many experts now advise against these methods because spicy foods may counteract the pain-killing endorphins that the body releases during birth, according to Giving Birth Naturally.
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