Introduction
Your due date is fast approaching! But you can’t rush these things. Your baby will choose the perfect moment to arrive, and there’s very little you can safely do to speed things up.
You might hear tips like taking hot baths, trying certain foods or drinks, using herbal supplements, or even having sex to encourage labour – but there’s no strong evidence to suggest they do. And while some methods simply don’t work, others, such as herbal supplements may not be well researched or even unsafe, especially in pregnancy.
The best approach is to trust your body and your baby to know when the time is right. Most people go into labour naturally between 37 and 42 weeks – all you can do is be prepared for when that special moment arrives.
Is it safe to try natural ways to bring on labour?
While there are lots of tips and tricks out there on how to induce labour at home, most aren’t recommended by midwives or healthcare professionals.
If you’re feeling anxious about going past your due date, have a chat with your midwife – they can explain the options available to you to get things started safely. And, if there’s another method you’re thinking of trying, it’s always best to check with them first.
How to induce labour naturally at home
Walking
for up to 30 minutes, three times a week, may increase your chance of going into labour. There’s a small amount of evidence that movement and gravity can help your baby settle lower into your pelvis, which can put a bit more pressure on your cervix – but it won’t bring on labour if your body isn’t ready.1 Whether it works or not, walking and other types of gentle exercise can also help you sleep, ease anxiety, and improve your mood – which is no bad thing.
Rocking on a birthing ball
is another method you can try. Similar to walking, the movement is thought to help your baby move down and put more pressure on your cervix. A birthing ball can also help you stay active and ease pain during labour.2
Speaking of relaxation
– staying calm can actually help your body release helpful hormones (like oxytocin and endorphins) that support labour – but it won’t start it.3 However, practising relaxation and breathing techniques now, means you’ll have helpful ways to manage your contractions and help your labour progress more smoothly when the time comes.
And what about dates?
You may have also heard that eating a few dates for a few weeks before your due date can help you go into labour, but again, there’s very little evidence to suggest this is true. However, they are pretty tasty, rich in fibre and nutrients, and a handful of them a day is considered a healthy snack.4
Pineapple
is another food linked to getting labour started. Again, there’s no real evidence it helps. If you want to eat pineapple, go ahead. Like dates, it’s rich in fibre and nutrients, but do stick to the recommended amounts – too much can cause an upset tummy, which isn’t fun at the best of times, let alone when you’re pregnant!5
Can sex help bring on labour?
Does sex encourage labour? Having sex may not be the most comfortable thing to do when you’re heavily pregnant, and there’s no real evidence it works – but it won’t harm your baby if you do. Just be sure your waters haven’t broken, as sex afterwards can increase the risk of infection.6
Can nipple stimulation trigger contractions?
There are a few small studies to suggest that gently rubbing or massaging your nipples (one breast at a time) might help. The idea behind it being that nipple stimulation induces labour by tricking your body into believing you’re feeding your baby and releasing oxytocin – the same hormone that helps manage your contractions.7
Is acupressure or acupuncture effective for labour induction?
While both acupressure (the use of finger pressure on certain points on the body) and acupuncture (inserting fine needles into the same pressure points) may be used for therapeutic purposes, there’s little to suggest they are methods that bring on labour.8 Always talk to your midwife or GP before starting any type of complementary therapy during pregnancy.
What about herbal remedies like raspberry leaf tea or evening primrose oil?
Raspberry leaf tea is a herbal tea rich in vitamins, minerals, and tannins. It’s thought to tone womb muscles for labour – but it won’t start it. Experts are unsure how effective or safe it is, so always check with your midwife first.9 After taking advice some people choose to drink it later in pregnancy, around 32 weeks, with a cup a day, gradually increasing to three cups. You can take it as a tea or a tablet.
And as far as taking primrose oil to encourage labour, there is no strong evidence that it works or even that it’s safe.10
Are there any risks with castor oil or spicy food?
While there may be some evidence that taking castor oil can bring on labour, it’s not recommended by healthcare professionals because it can cause vomiting and high blood pressure.11
And what about a spicy curry? Maybe just enjoy it as a tasty meal rather than a labour-inducing method, as there’s no proof it works. Unless you’ve had lots of heartburn or indigestion during your pregnancy, then you might want to wait until after you’ve given birth.12
“By the time I reached the end of my pregnancy, I felt like I’d tried every gentle trick in the book — walking, bouncing on my birthing ball, even eating a few extra dates! None of it magically started labour, but keeping active and relaxed did help me feel more in control while I waited for my baby to make its grand entrance into the world.”
Are there any things I should avoid when trying to induce labour?
Some things are more likely to make you feel unwell than actually bring on labour, so it’s best to be cautious:
- Castor oil can cause nausea, vomiting, and raise blood pressure
- Herbal supplements, like clary sage and evening primrose oil – these are not well researched and using them the wrong way could put you and your baby at risk
- Hot baths, while they’re nice, if they’re too hot they can make you feel faint and increase your risk of falling13
When should I speak to my midwife or doctor?
If your baby is only a couple of days late, there’s no need to worry. The best thing to do is try not to get too anxious about it. Your midwife will talk to you about options for bringing on labour at your 38-week antenatal appointment.
The first thing you’ll be offered is a membrane sweep, which may help you go into labour. If your labour hasn’t started by 42 weeks, your midwife or doctor will then offer to induce you.
What happens if labour doesn’t start?
If you haven’t gone into labour by 40 weeks, don’t worry, it’s not unusual – your midwife will talk you through your options. There are ways they can encourage labour, like giving you a membrane sweep, also known as a cervical sweep. This is when they use their finger to gently stretch and then sweep around the inside of your cervix. This helps to release certain hormones which may get things started.14
If this doesn’t work, you may be offered an additional sweep or an induction.15
What happens if my labour has to be induced?
If you haven’t gone into labour naturally by 41 weeks, your midwife may offer an induction. This can involve using a pessary or gel to soften your cervix, or an oxytocin drip to encourage contractions.16
If you prefer not to be induced, you’ll likely be offered extra monitoring to keep an eye on your baby’s wellbeing.
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