How to Induce Labor at Home
Natural ways to induce labor can help speed things up, but is it right for you?
Medically reviewed by Renita White, MD
Inducing labor (or induction) uses medications or other natural methods to jump-start the birthing process. This can help stimulate the contractions in the uterus that happen before giving birth.
Some research suggests inducing labor in certain people who are 39 weeks pregnant could lower the chances of needing a cesarean section (or C-section). However, induction has some risks. It's essential to check with a healthcare provider before attempting any tips for inducing labor at home.
This article discusses natural approaches that could help induce labor at home if this option is right and safe for you.
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When Is It Safe to Induce Labor at Home?
There are several factors that healthcare providers take into consideration when recommending a labor induction in a medical setting or at home.
Inducing labor may be an option if you're at least 39 weeks pregnant or you're past your due date.
Healthcare providers use a tool known as the Bishop score to help make the judgment call on induction. After checking to see if the cervix has started to soften and open (a sign that labor can begin), your healthcare provider may give a score of 0 to 13 to rate the condition of the cervix. A Bishop score of less than 6 means the cervix may not be ready for labor.
Natural Ways to Induce Labor
Aside from medical methods, some alternative techniques have anecdotally helped some people induce labor at home. In one study, 50% of participants reported trying natural methods for inducing labor.
Because inducing labor can involve risks for both the pregnant person and baby, it's crucial to speak to a healthcare provider to ensure it's safe for you before trying any at-home induction tips.
Exercise
Regularly getting your heart rate up during pregnancy is safe for many healthy pregnant people, and it may also be a way to prompt labor.
Some studies found that exercising more in the last days of pregnancy is a potentially effective way to trigger the labor process. While scientific research hasn't proven this as a surefire technique, as long as it's safe to exercise while pregnant, it may be an activity worth trying.
Sex
Prostaglandins (hormones) help ready the cervix for pregnancy and are also involved in sexual intercourse, which may help promote the labor process.
Studies suggest it may be either a high concentration of prostaglandins in semen or the release of oxytocin (the hormone that prompts contractions) during sex and orgasm that could help initiate labor.
Acupuncture
Research is still limited on whether acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves inserting fine needles into specific points throughout the body, could induce labor. More evidence is needed, but some experts hypothesize that this process might stimulate oxytocin release or the uterus.
While acupuncture is considered safe for healthy adults, it's a good idea to check with a healthcare provider before trying it out during pregnancy.
Acupressure
Acupressure is similar to acupuncture but involves using hand pressure on specific body points instead of needles.
Research is underway regarding whether acupressure is effective at inducing labor, but some study results have been promising. Some trial results found that Bishop scores were improved in people using acupressure. However, questions about this method's exact timing and number of acupressure sessions still need to be answered.
Eating Certain Foods
Eating spicy foods has been floated anecdotally as a potential way to induce labor, but there are also other herbs that experts are studying for their effectiveness. These include:
Some believe evening primrose oil (as a capsule) helps soften the cervix for labor. Study results are mixed, though, with at least one showing it may prolong active labor or increase the risk of labor complications.
Chamomile, blue and black cohosh, and raspberry leaf tea may prompt the relaxing release of oxytocin and have a uterine-stimulating effect, particularly in post-term pregnancy.
Eating dates (a fruit from the palm tree family) in the final days of pregnancy might increase cervical ripening for labor.
Always consult with a medical professional before taking any herbs or supplements while pregnant.
Methods to Avoid
Some methods of inducing labor are not recommended by the medical community due to the possible effects on the fetus.
Nipple Stimulation
Researchers found that nipple stimulation might play a role in speeding up the start of labor and perhaps shortening the length of labor in some cases. This is likely due to the release of oxytocin during the stimulation, though more data is needed to confirm this link.
For most healthy pregnant people, nipple stimulation could be considered a safe method to try in moderation. However, there are some concerns about uterine tachysystole (too frequent contractions) that may cause fetal distress with nipple stimulation.
Castor Oil
Castor oil (vegetable oil) has been used in medicine as a laxative and lubricant. It might also be helpful for labor induction.
Supporters of this natural technique have heralded castor oil for stimulating prostaglandin release, prompting the uterus into contractions. Some smaller studies have found that it may increase the likelihood of going into labor soon after use, but more research is needed on its safety and effectiveness.
Take caution with this method, as castor oil in large amounts can be poisonous and have serious side effects. Castor oil can also lead to severe gastrointestinal upset and fetal tachysystole.
What Are the Benefits of Waiting for Labor to Start on Its Own?
Everyone's situation is different; some people may need labor induced for medical reasons. That said, if waiting for labor to start on its own is right for you and approved by your healthcare provider, this option has some benefits.
Recovery times tend to be quicker for people who are not induced than those who are. In addition, babies born after a full-term (40-week) pregnancy can experience other health benefits, such as:
Ample time for the brain, lungs, liver, and other organs to fully develop
Reduced risk for breathing, vision, or hearing issues post-birth
Opportunity to gain additional weight in the womb, if necessary
Developed abilities to suck, swallow, and stay awake for a feeding
Lower likelihood of learning issues and health issues later in life
Takeaway
In one survey, almost 3 in 10 people reported trying to induce their own labor.
Reasons Not to Induce
For some people, inducing labor is not recommended. That's because it could make the delivery process unsafe for the health of the pregnant person and the baby. A healthcare provider may advise against carrying out any labor induction methods in the following circumstances:
Previous C-sections or other types of uterine surgeries
Baby in breech position (feet first) in the womb
Placenta previa (the placenta blocks all or part of the vagina)
Prolapsed umbilical cord (when the umbilical cord slips through the cervix before the baby is delivered)
Active genital herpes infection
Potential Risks of Inducing Labor
Know that there are potential risks with delivery and recovery when labor is induced, whether medically or naturally. These risks include:
Change in the baby's heart rate
Infection for a pregnant person or baby
Uterine rupture (when the uterus tears during labor)
Contractions that are too strong
Labor induction may not work and need to be repeated
Increased use of epidural anesthesia
Summary
Inducing labor often happens in medical settings. But some pregnant people may also look into complementary and alternative medicine techniques to help jump-start the labor process at home.
More scientific evidence is needed to back certain methods, like exercising, having sex, trying acupuncture, and eating certain herbs, but research shows there may be some benefits to their use. Always check with a healthcare provider to discuss whether at-home labor-inducing options are safe before trying them out.
