Safe Ways to Jump Start Labor

Inducing, or jump starting, labor is something that should only be done if the due date is near. An impending due date or one that is past due is a very anxious and uncomfortable time for most pregnant women. There are a few different ways to jump start labor, but they will only work if dilation has begun. Of course, before doing anything to induce labor, you should consult your physician.

  1. Foods

    • Eating fresh pineapples or spicy foods, such as Mexican or Thai cuisine, is a way to jump start your labor and get contractions going. Fresh pineapples are believed to soften the cervix due to an enzyme called bromelain, and for this to work, you have to eat at least seven of them. Spicy foods promote labor by increasing gastric activity, and hence, a bowel movement, which may bring on labor.

    Exercise

    • During pregnancy, exercise should be a part of your daily routine. Walking is a healthy way to help speed labor along. Even if it does not induce labor, the movement will help the baby get into a better position when the time comes. With movement and gravity, the pressure of the baby's head on the cervix helps to get the baby into the pelvis and, ultimately, the birth canal.

    Sex

    • Having sex can help induce labor due to the semen, which contains prostaglandins. Prostaglandins in semen help soften the cervix and prepare it to open. The hormone oxytocin is also released during sex, which can cause the uterus to begin contracting. However, if the water membranes have ruptured, sex is not advised as this can lead to infection.

    Nipple Stimulation

    • Stimulating the nipples is a safe alternative to sex. During nipple stimulation, the same hormone as in sex, oxytocin, is released. This method of inducing birth may take some time; and if it does start contractions, they can be very long and painful as extra oxytocin is released into the body.

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