What Can I Do to Go Into Labor?

After 9 months of pregnancy, many women cannot wait to get it over with and finally meet their baby. While some methods of inducing labor are old wives' tales, there are many tried and true ways to go into labor. Keep in mind that you should never try to induce labor before you are at least 40 weeks pregnant.

  1. Walking

    • Walking is most useful to those who are having contractions or are in early labor. Standing upright will help bring the baby into birthing position in the pelvis. Even after your contractions start coming quicker and become more painful, walking can help with the pain.

    Sex

    • Although it can be hard to get in the mood for sex during the end of your pregnancy, it is a known way to encourage the onset of labor, and some physicians even recommend it to patients who are eager to have their babies. In order for this to be effective, your partner will need to ensure him semen gets inside the vagina--the prostaglandins in semen are what can cause contractions.

    Spicy Foods

    • While it has yet to be scientifically proven, many women do go into labor after eating spicy foods. Using this method is ideal for those who like to eat hot dishes but is not advisable for those who easily get heartburn. Also, if you already have a full stomach, eat spicy food, and then go into labor, it can result in vomiting and nausea.

    Castor Oil

    • Castor oil is one of the most widely used natural methods for inducing labor. If you are in early labor, it can be even more effective. The belief is that ingesting castor oil causes spasms in the intestines, which causes the uterus to cramp, resulting in labor.

      Most women mix 1 to 4 oz. of the oil with 6 oz. of orange juice and drink it quickly--the taste is far from pleasant. Another effect of taking castor oil is bowel movements, so you should anticipate having one within 3 hours of using this method.

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