10 ways to speed up the onset of labor

2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 11:16

Are you past your due date and looking for tips to help nature take its course? Here are 10 safe ways to speed up the onset of labor in late pregnancy!

Walking in late pregnancy

The point of taking a walk in late pregnancy is to stay upright, which helps bring the baby down and keeps it propped up on our cervix. Take a brisk walk to benefit from the exercise, while oxygenating yourself. You can also go up and down stairs, which increases pressure on the cervix.

Cleaning up

Who wants to clean up at the end of pregnancy? What if we told you that it could help you induce your labor since by remaining active, a bit like with walking, you promote the baby's descent and the opening of the cervix! Bonus: you will come back with baby in a clean house!

Having sex in late pregnancy?

When a woman has an orgasm, her body releases a high level of oxytocin, the hormone that causes childbirth! One more reason to get closer to your partner!

Eat a spicy curry

The theory:Since the digestive system is stimulated more when you eat spicy food, eating a dish of curry or another strong spice could trigger the contractions of the onset of labor! If you already like spicy food, it's okay to try!

Blowing up balloons with your mouth

By inflating balloons, we contract our stomach and if baby is ready to show up, it can influence the onset of labor. Inflating balloons also has the double merit of putting pressure on the abdominal muscles and preparing for the baby shower at the same time!

A car ride

Pregnant women are often told not to stay in the car too long to avoid premature labor. This is because when you are sitting in a car, baby is more cramped and therefore closer to the cervix. If you're ready to give birth, a drive, without far from the hospital of course, could give you the last little boost needed to induce labor.

Bounce on a ball

Following the same principle as brisk walking, stairs and car rides, bouncing on a birthing ball helps baby descend into the womb and prepares you physically for childbirth. You can use it at the start of labour, before going to the hospital, to relieve the pain of contractions!

Nipple stimulation

When the nipples are stimulated, by a soft touch,by sucking or rolling, our body releases oxytocin, which is the primary hormone responsible for triggering contractions and labor.

Acupuncture

acupuncture is an alternative medicine traditionally used in China for various he alth reasons, including pregnancy, whether to turn a baby who presents breech to help induce labor. The acupuncturist inserts a few needles in specific places on your body to stimulate the natural hormone oxytocin, which is responsible for inducing labor.

The detachment of the membranes

This procedure can only be done by a doctor. If your doctor thinks you are ready to give birth, he may suggest that you remove your membranes (stripping). It consists of inserting fingers into the vagina in order to peel off the membranes of the uterus which are against the cervix. Generally, if your body is ready, contractions should start fairly soon after this procedure.