If you’re at the very end of your pregnancy, you’re probably tired, uncomfortable, and just ready for your baby to come out already. And while there are a lot of old wives’ tales about how to jump start labor at home, there is a lot of misinformation about what can really cause labor to begin. We’re busting some of the most common myths about how to induce labor naturally.
Eating Spicy Food: Myth
This old wives’ tale is based on the theory that spicy food might give you diarrhea or otherwise stimulate your intestines, which in turn could cause uterine contractions. There’s a similar tale about drinking castor oil for the same effects…yuck! But be warned this simply isn’t a valid method of labor induction. In fact, doing things to cause diarrhea is ill-advised since it can cause dehydration. And let’s not even get started about the potential for a severe case of heartburn.
Having Sex: Myth
While limited research exists around the validity of this method, some smaller studies indicate that having sex simply might not affect how quickly you’ll go into labor.
There are a lot of reasons that could make a pregnant person hopeful for this method to work. A small amount of prostaglandins are present in semen, which are the same hormones that promote cervical ripening. Both the oxytocin (also known as the love hormone) released during sex and female orgasm can cause uterine contractions. But even if having sex does cause a few contractions, it doesn’t mean that it will bring on consistent contractions or full-fledged labor.
It’s also important to note that sex isn’t always safe for every pregnant person. You should continue to avoid sex if you’ve been instructed to stay on pelvic rest for reasons such as placenta previa or another pregnancy complication.
Walking or Exercising: Myth
The theory behind walking yourself into labor is that gravity plus the shifting of balance and jostling can help your baby lower into the pelvis and jumpstart labor. While studies don’t indicate that this is a surefire way to go into labor, walking is a wonderful form of exercise for pregnant mamas.
Going on frequent walks throughout pregnancy (not just at the end!) can help keep you in shape, build endurance for childbirth, and help baby get into the right position for delivery. Once you’re actually in active labor, walking—or at least remaining upright when possible—has been found to shorten the labor process.
Nipple Stimulation: Fact*
As with sex, nipple stimulation can cause the body to release oxytocin. And while several studies indicate that nipple stimulation between one to three hours a day (which is a LOT of time) can slightly elevate the chances of going into labor, the safety of doing this method at home is questionable.
Our asterisk* on this one means that this method is not advised without explicit consent and supervision from your provider.
Membrane Stripping/Sweeping: Fact
Your provider or midwife can perform a membrane sweep once your cervix has already started dilating and you’ve reached 39 weeks of pregnancy. To strip the membranes, they will insert a finger through the cervix, and move it around to separate the amniotic sac from the uterine wall.
This process can stimulate the release of prostaglandins and potentially cause consistent contractions for those whose bodies are already nearing labor. However, if the body isn’t ready for labor to begin, it’s simply not a sure thing. It’s important to note that those who are Group B strep positive should not have this procedure, as it could present a risk of infection for their little one.
Even if you buy into some of the myths and decide to order some spicy curry for dinner, it’s important that you don’t try to go into labor before the 39-week mark. It’s also important to talk with your provider to see if they are comfortable with you trying certain things to cause labor.
If you are considered a high-risk pregnancy or have experienced a complicated delivery in the past, your provider may recommend avoiding any activities that could bring on labor. As always, keep in close touch with your provider about your upcoming labor, labor induction, and delivery.