The Top 5 Natural Labor Inducers!

I am on my third pregnancy, and my experience is that you cannot induce labor naturally. HOWEVER, You can encourage labor with natural remedies and can enjoy a better laboring experience because of them! These remedies did not put me into labor before my body was ready, but they tipped the scales when the time came. (If you're in a hurry then skip down to The Top 5 Labor Natural Inducers.) The fact is that the last few weeks of pregnancy are difficult. I think that God allows these physical and emotional feelings to help you want to go through the painful process of birth. Its hard to stay in the moment, enjoying the current situation for what it is, while simultaneously being ready at all times to run the marathon of labor and delivery. You don't want to stop thinking about it and planning for it because you want to be prepared. You also don't want to over-analyze the situation and fall into worry and fear. AHHHH!!! I like to naturally and safely encourage labor when I feel ready because it helps me to focus some of that nervous energy into something positive and productive. Of course, I only do this with the direct approval of my doctor and with a lot of prayer. I have found that these remedies can encourage some productive contractions even when they don't induce active labor, allowing your body to do some of the work ahead of time. For example, if you have a bout of productive contractions that last for a few hours one day and then go away, maybe they caused you to efface 20%. That is 20% less work you have to do on D-Day. You were able to get a little practice in, get a little work done, and take a break. So If I rub a little clary sage on my feet, drink some red raspberry leaf tea, experience some hard contractions and then get to enjoy a good night sleep, I feel good about that. Without further or due: Here are The Top 5 Natural Remedies for nudging your body toward labor.

  1. Intercourse and Nipple Stimulation are probably the most dependable natural labor inducers. Semen is a natural source of prostaglandins, which are used in synthetic form to encourage cervical ripening in preparation for labor. Sex and nipple stimulation also increase uterine activity, causing contractions.

  2. Essential Oils can play a considerable part in labor and delivery. An adept and experienced user may use lots of oils throughout labor and delivery for a myriad of things. I enjoy keeping things simple. Clary Sage WILL cause contractions, and during active labor, it can help your contractions to be more consistent and effective. It is a balancing oil that promotes a calm environment and I enjoy the scent. When my babies are early term, and safe for delivery, I start rubbing this oil on my feet once a day and slowly work up to twice a day, and as D-Day get closer, I use it more regularly. During the active labor process, this oil gets a much larger role, and I find it to be a very dependable tool in shortening my labor experience. Considered a women's oil, it is good for the promotion of the physical task of labor and beneficial for the emotional stress of labor and delivery.

  3. Red Rasberry Leaf Tea has been used for womb wellness for centuries. As with all natural remedies, there is very little scientific evidence here; however, if you google it, you will be able to read from a lot of different women just how much it did or did not work for them. Some Doctors and Midwives will tell you its safe at 32 weeks; Some will caution you to wait until baby is at least early term to start enjoying its benefits. It is a uterine tonic used to tone and strengthen the uterus, and since this toning could cause the onset of contractions, it can help induce labor naturally. If your one of the lucky ladies that can depend on this herb for producing productive contractions then be cautious and grateful! I have not experienced this herb as a labor inducer but still drink it as I hope when the time comes it will help to achieve a quick and healthy natural delivery. Did I mention that some women claim it shortens labor? Research published in the 2001 Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health demonstrated that when healthy women ingested raspberry leaf (in tablet form) at 32 weeks gestation through labor, there were no negative effects on mom or baby. What’s more, they found that the second stage of labor was shortened by about 10 minutes, and there was a lower rate of forcep deliveries between the treatment group and the control group (19.3 percent versus 30.4 percent). I like to play it safe, so I waited until almost 38 weeks and started with 2 cups a day. I am now at week 39 drinking a strong brew 3,4,5 times a day! No labor yet but the ballot is still out on whether it changes my delivery process.

  4. Pineapple contains a type of proteolytic enzyme, bromelain that helps soften the cervix in preparation for labor. If you eat pineapple in excess amounts, it can stimulate your stomach just like spicy foods, which may cause contractions in your uterus. Make sure you eat fresh pineapples to coax labor as they contain useful amounts of bromelain. I would not recommend an excessive amount. I did this with my first birth and ended up with a very sore mouth due to sensitivity to the acid, and still spent about 36 hours in labor a whole week later. That being said, I am currently at week 39 with my third, and feeling very ready for baby to arrive. So I will still enjoy some pineapple while sipping my red raspberry leaf tea with my clary sage rubbed feet up, (after a nice long walk and a spicy meal of course!)

  5. Walking can definitely bring on contractions. They will only be Braxton Hicks if your body is not ready for labor. They may or may not be productive contractions (Contractions that actually dilate or efface you.) However, if you're feeling the urge to walk, do it! The urge alone may be a sign that you're ramping up for labor!

In conclusion, you cannot force yourself to go into labor, praise God for that! We all as expecting mothers want what is best for these new little people forming in our wombs. Do be very careful with these natural remedies as you could be more sensitive than the average women to any one of these methods! You may also have a body that tends to deliver a little early and is more susceptible to these methods sooner. But when the time comes and your feeling ready to welcome your new little bundle, practicing these methods moderately can benefit your emotional wellness as they help you feel involved in the process of ramping up for labor, and they absolutely benefit the delivery process when it is in fact time. I would try all these methods moderately and none of them excessively. Excess is never a good idea. And lastly, take a deep breath, this baby will not live in your uterus forever. The time WILL come. Keep calm and labor on mama!

Jennifer Myers