6 Fun Ways to Try to Induce Labor
It is your due date and you are BEYOND READY to have a frickin’ baby. You are extremely anxious and you are probably wondering, “Will I be pregnant forever?”
The waiting game totally SUCKS. I won’t lie about that! Luckily, I went into labor with my son the night of my due date and I credit several things for making that happen. Regardless of whether or not they truly work, I had fun trying them and they did help to pass the time!
As I am currently 38 weeks pregnant with my second baby, my daughter, I am turning to these methods once again. As always, please talk to your OBGYN before attempting any of these methods and please do not try any of these until you are full term.
6 Fun Ways to Try to Induce Labor
Accupressure
Since ancient times, accupressure has been used to successfully jumpstart labor when a woman is overdue. Acupressure focuses on the body’s natural pressure points to induce labor, which are said to be the areas where most energy is stored away. However, as with other natural means of inducing labor, this method only takes effect when the cervix is ripe and the body is ready for delivery. The idea is to relieve pain and prevent illness. So does it work? Though the studies are limited, the answer seems to be yes. Acupressure and its cousin, acupuncture, have both been shown effective for encouraging labor and reducing discomfort during labor. The two most common areas to apply pressure are the webbed area between your thumb and index finger and on the inside of your ankle on the lateral tibia above your ankle bone. Whether or not it works for you, it is highly relaxing!
Pineapple
Eating pineapple is one of the most common ways to induce labor and also one of the most enjoyable. It’s so tasty! Pineapple contains a type of proteolytic enzyme called bromelain that help soften the cervix and induce labor. Eating pineapples is beneficial because they help ripen your cervix and make labor easy. Fair enough.
Bounce on a Fitness Ball
I used my fitness ball during my first pregnancy after hearing how good it was at helping a first time mom go into labor on time. Every night, I would sit on my ball for about an hour and bounce. Sitting on a yoga ball and gently rolling the pelvis to make circles helps to relax the low back and hip muscles and bouncing gently can give the baby a gravity-assisted push toward the exit. And bonus: Those same movements on the ball provide great relief during labor. You can sit, do hip rolls, or bounce-or all three. You won’t hurt your baby so do not even worry about that. Sitting on the ball also helps to open up your pelvis even more-better than the position you’d be in if you were sitting on the couch since you cannot spread your legs for a wide enough stance. Also, you can use your ball during labor and to workout after baby is born!
Sex
Possibly the most fun way to trigger labor of all-though many of you might not be in the mood when you are feeling huge and ready for baby to hurry on up, but it definitely does not hurt. What’s the science behind sex for labor? Having an orgasm may help to stimulate your womb (uterus) into action. Having sex can trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps your contractions. Not only that, semen may help to soften your cervix because it contains prostaglandins which help soften the cervix as well. I know the night that I went into labor with my son on his due date, my husband and I had sex. Then BOOM! One hour later, I was in full blown labor.
Working Out
Exercise is supposed to help a woman go into labor near or around her due date. They say that one of the best things that an overdue lady can do is walk, walk, walk! The more you do, the better honestly. It helps for your baby to drop into birthing position which can put more pressure onto your cervix which can make your dilation come about easier and quicker. On the my son’s due date, I ran 3 miles and that night I went into labor. Coincidence? Who knows. Regardless of whether or not this one is true, staying active throughout your entire pregnancy is always a great idea for the health of you and baby.
Make Labor Inducing Cookies
There are lots of things that supposedly cause someone to go into labor, and spicy food is one of those things. Though when most people think spicy, they may not think about ginger cookies as labor-inducing cookies, but a variation of these cookies has been floating around the Internet for a very long time. Supposedly, it’s the spice from the ginger that works its magic on your body and causes you go to into labor. However, I personally believe it is the kick of cayenne pepper. Either way, have fun eating them!
“Labor Cookie Recipe”
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 c. flour
- 1 1/2 t. baking soda
- 3/4 t. cinnamon
- 1 t. ground ginger
- 1/2 t. ground cloves
- 1/2 t. salt
- 1 t. cayenne pepper
- 8 T. butter
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 c. brown sugar
- 1/3 c. molasses
- 1/4 c. egg whites
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda and spices and set aside. Cream the butter and sugars together. Add the molasses to the creamed butter, then add the egg whites until combined. Addd the dry ingredients slowly. Once incorporated, roll dough into 1 inch balls and place onto baking tray. Bake 8-10 minutes. Once cool eat as many as you can possibly stomach, lay down for a nap and wait for labor to begin!
Your trainer and friend,
