Disclaimer: Any advice in this article should not be taken as medical advice. This article is based upon the author’s personal opinion and should not be used instead of professional medical advice. This information is intended for woman 40+ weeks pregnant.
At the end of your pregnancy?
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of your pregnancy. You are full-term and… miserable. If you are anything like I was with my first pregnancy, I was completely miserable by the end of it. Everything hurt from my ankles to my nose; it hurt to walk, it hurt to sleep, it hurt to sit, it hurt to stand. I was so over the whole being pregnant thing despite being terrified by the concept of childbirth.
I had a normal pregnancy with no complications so I knew it was safe for me to try to jumpstart my labor on my own. I also was already offered by my doctor a membrane sweep to jumpstart my labor which I denied and later regretted. I used most of the methods below and went into labor. I’m not sure if my labor would have happened so soon otherwise. Read on for natural ways to jumpstart your labor
Get moving
This might be the last thing you want to do right now since your body feels so heavy but it is the best thing to get the baby to come out! Do any kind of movement you like to do and is easy for you. This could be walking, cleaning, swimming, yoga, dancing, climbing up and down stairs, or bouncing on an exercise ball. If you feel like doing a more intense exercise like running then go for it! Just be sure to stay hydrated and be careful not to trip or fall
Get everything ready
Is there something you’ve been putting off that you really want to get done before the baby arrives? It could be something small like painting your nails to something major like getting your home deep cleaned. You’d be surprised how these things can prevent us from being comfortable enough to have the baby. For me, I think I went into labor after I finished all the cleaning I wanted to get done. Whatever it is that you know you really want done, get it done
Acupressure
There are multiple points on your body which should not be touched during pregnancy in a specific way since they can induce you. You can do this method on your own, have your partner do it, or go to a professional. The points where you should apply pressure are on the webbing between your thumb and index finger and the inside of your leg about four fingers above the ankle bone. This is also the reason you should be careful when you get a pedicure while pregnant
Eat certain foods
The foods I ate to start labor with my first one were pineapple, Chinese food, and eggplant. Pineapple can be eaten in many ways from fresh to canned. I ate a ton of canned pineapple the days before my first labor. You could also try whipping some into a dessert if you don’t really like the flavor. With my first baby, I was craving egg drop so badly the day before I went into labor and ate a whole quart of it when I finally got it. Eggplant Parmesan was my favorite way to eat eggplant during my first pregnancy. You could also try incorporating eggplant into a soup or curry for a different flavor
Meditation
This is one of my favorite ways to induce labor naturally. If you are experiencing any anxiety or nervousness towards your delivery, this technique can work wonders. Get into a comfortable position and used a guided visualization meditation to imagine your perfect delivery and how it will feel to hold your little one in your arms. This helped me so much with my first labor since I was so freaked out by the thought of pushing the baby out. There are a ton of meditations specifically for this. You can pay for one or find a free one on YouTube
Get intimate
Getting it on with your significant other might be the last thing you feel like doing right now since your body is probably larger than it’s ever been and swollen in places you’d prefer it not be. If you want to jumpstart your labor, get it on. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate and definitely only do positions you are comfortable with. It should be enjoyable for both you and your partner. Semen can cause the uterus to contract. If your water has already broken, do not try this method since it could cause an infection. If you are flying solo during this time, getting it on with yourself works as well since the oxytocin release can start labor
Go braless
Nipple stimulation is a well-known method to jumpstart your labor. Do whatever you are comfortable with. You could let your partner do this for you, you can do it yourself, or use a breast pump. However you choose, be aware this can make things happen very quickly and very strongly so do not use this method unless you are ready to go into labor that day
Make it spicy
This one may or may not work for you depending on what you have been eating throughout your pregnancy. Get your favorite spicy foods and chow down. I know with my last pregnancy this was not an option for me since I had morning sickness at the end of my pregnancy. This pregnancy I’ve had a lot of heartburn so the idea of eating something spicy does not sound like a fun time. Just be sure to try this method only if you aren’t experiencing any bad digestive issues
Get low
Listen to your body. What position does it feel like it needs to be in to move things along? I did a lot of squatting the days before my labor. I do not mean like an exercise squat but the kind where you have your behind close to the floor and could stay there all day. For me, this caused a lot of pressure in my pelvic area which let me know it was working. The other position which I also wanted to be in was kneeling on my hands and knees. It is also recommended to sway your hips from side to side to induce labor
Other methods
Below is a list of methods I have not tried personally but are supposedly able to induce labor naturally:
- Castor oil
- Primrose oil
- Warm bath
- Massage
- Blue & black cohosh
- Red raspberry leaf tea
- Stand as much as possible
- Chinese food
- A glass of wine
- Laughing
- Bananas
- Basil
- Clary sage oil
- Dates
- Licorice root
- Motherwort
- Bumpy car ride
- Balsamic vinegar
- Mandarin oil
- Quinine
- Thyme tea
Wait it out
There are multiple benefits for you and baby if you wait for your body to start labor on its own. This can mean an easier and shorter labor for you and baby. This can also mean an easier recovery time for you. Don’t be discouraged if you try some of these methods and nothing happens. Your baby will come when they are ready. The longer baby gets to stay in the womb, the stronger and healthier they will be at birth. As long as baby and you are both healthy, there is no good reason to rush it
Again DO NOT attempt to induce yourself if you are not at least 39 weeks pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy with no complications. Attempting to induce your labor before being full-term could result in serious complications and fetal death.
Comment below if you used any of these or any other ways to naturally induce yourself!


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