Natural Ways to Induce Labor

My water broke at noon and I tried for 8 hours to get my contractions started. I really didn’t want any interventions in my labor and wanted to have a natural childbirth. I learned a lot about natural ways to induce labor because of this. And it turns out my contractions were happening all along and I just didn’t know it! I hope these can be helpful to you and your labor:

Accupressure

In the webbing of your thumb and index finger. Pinch and rub in a circular motion for 30-60 seconds at a time with 1-2 minute breaks in between
Four finger-widths above the inside of your ankle bone: press firmly and rub in a circular motion

Accupuncture

See a professional provider: there are specific treatments for inducing labor

Attitude

Tension, stress, doubt or fear can stop labor-Ina May talks about this in her books Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. If you haven’t already read these I highly recommend them! It is amazing how our minds effect our bodies!
Explore emotional blocks-Again, Ina May talks about how she has seen people actually slow down or stop their laboring because of emotional blocks.
Let yourself have a good cry and release tension
Take a warm bath and relax

Herbs: Please discuss this with your caregiver before using

Blue or black cohosh
Balsamic vinegar
Basil
Golden seal
Borage seed oil
Licorice
Oregano
Many midwives suggest Evening primrose oil but here is an actual study on it and I would advise against it

Bowel Stimulation: discuss this with your caregiver before using!!

Enemas
Castor oil (2 to 4 oz in chocolate ice cream or as directed by care provider)

o Increase your hydration due to risk of dehydration

Changing Positions

To speed up labor-every 20-30 minutes–sitting on the toilet is often a great one for getting things going. I found being on all fours to be most helpful. A yoga ball can also be helpful to keep you moving without wearing you out.

Eating or drinking

To speed up labor due to lack of energy–something high in electrolytes like Gatorade can help. Many times women don’t have an appetite while laboring so getting something compact, like a protein bar, can be helpful.

Massage

Vigorous but not deep tissue to increase circulation–I found my lower back/base of my spine to be most helpful.

Nipple Stimulation

Hot towels while massaging
Breast pumps
Have your partner help
Rolling nipples between thumb and forefinger

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Uterine toner
Make sure it’s not raspberry flavored t ea

The energy that gets the baby in is the energy that gets the baby out
Stimulates oxytocin release
Prostaglandins are present in semen and can help soften cervix
Oral ingestion of prostaglandins increase benefit 10x
Warning! No intercourse if Bag of Waters (BOW) is broken!

Thumb Sucking

There is an acupressure point on the roof of your mouth that may cause or intensify contractions!
Dumdub lollipops are the perfect size to stimulate this point

Visualizations

Visualizing opening up (like a blooming flower, etc) can start or intensify labor-this was incredibly helpful to me. I just visualized my body/cervix opening with each contraction as I breathed and visualized it opening up further with each one.

Walking

To speed or start labor
Curb walking: one foot on the curb, other on the street…then switch sides
Walking up stairs two at a time—UP ONLY! Take them one at a time on the way down and be careful!

REMEMBER: ANY INDUCTION (MEDICAL OR ORTHERWISE) WILL ONLY WORK IF BABY IS READY!