Full term and can’t stand being pregnant any longer? Here are nine fun, safe ways to try to induce labor. Get that baby out!
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Let me preface this by saying that I did not love being pregnant. I was not one of those women who had the pregnancy “glow” or who was calm and patient and enjoyed every second of their pregnancy.
Yes, it is a blessing to be able to get pregnant, but by 36 weeks (probably earlier if I’m being honest), I was completely ready to have my baby. So I did a lot of research, and starting at 39 weeks, my husband and I decided we were going step up our labor-inducing game and try every (safe) thing possible to try and get that baby out of my belly. Some of them are old wives’ tales, and I don’t really think many of them worked for me, but they were actually really fun to try.
I thought it would be fun to share the different things that we did to try and induce labor in the hopes that maybe they will work for you! And even if they don’t, at least they will give you something to do during those last few days, right?
Pressure points
There are actually a few places on your body that if you press and rub them, they can help stimulate contractions. One is between your index finger and thumb, and one is on the inside of your leg about two inches above your ankle. My husband actually talked about these in medical school, so there is some truth to them.
And if you’re just sitting around watching a movie or watching TV anyway, why not make your man rub your ankle or hand? It feels good and if it works, then it’s worth it!
Eat spicy food.
Apparently since spicy food can irritate your intestines, it can sometimes help trigger uterine contractions, making you go into labor. The last two Fridays I was pregnant, my husband and I went to our favorite Mongolian restaurant and I got the spiciest food I could. It was DELICIOUS, and even though I was still pregnant until the following Wednesday, it was a great excuse for a date.
Red raspberry leaf tea
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. Okay so this one doesn’t necessarily help induce labor, but it is supposed to help you while you’re in labor. I actually think this one really helped strengthen my uterine muscles, which is what it’s supposed to do, because it only took me pushing through three contractions for Little J to be born.
You can take it in a pill or as tea, and you can start as early as 32 weeks pregnant. I had a cup of it every day for a few weeks and then the last few weeks I had two cups.
Walk
And walk and walk and walk. Why? Walking can help your little one drop into your pelvis and put pressure on your cervix, preparing your body to go into labor. I seriously walked so much the last month I was pregnant. On the treadmill, at the mall, around our apartment (it was winter). I actually really would encourage this one.
And even if it doesn’t help speed up your contractions too much, it will help you stay in shape!
Baths
A nice relaxing hot bath can help loosen your body and calm you down, making you more likely to go into labor soon. I would recommend adding bubbles and just soaking. It helps your sore muscles and gives you another excuse to just lay down. And even if it doesn’t help you go into labor, you can feel more calm after!
Eat fresh pineapple.
Pineapple contains an enzyme that is supposed to help soften your cervix and bring on labor. It doesn’t have a ton of the enzyme, so you would have to eat a ton of pineapple for it to really have a strong effect, but that will probably also make you more miserable than anything.
And it has to be fresh pineapple, too. Canning destroys the enzyme, so you want to make sure it’s freshly cut. My husband brought me home a pineapple one day, cut it up, and let me eat almost the whole thing. It was delicious, and it was fun to try.
Sex.
No, don’t say gross. This is actually true. Sperm can help thin and dilate the cervix, which is what you want when you are about to have a baby. Sex can also help trigger contractions. So even though you may feel like a whale barely able to move, just try it. You never know!
Bumpy car rides or bouncing on a birth ball
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.On the way to church we drive down a dirt road, and it can get full of potholes after it rains or snows. It’s thought that the bumpiness will put pressure on your pelvis and help baby to move down further. I know that a lot of women use a birth ball to help their labor progress once it has started, so why not try it beforehand?
Walk in place and read The Hunger Games.
Just kidding! But for real, this is what I was doing when my husband and I decided it was time to go to the hospital.
A note on these, I am obviously not a doctor and these are just things I did to try and induce labor. And let’s face it, at the end of pregnancy, you will be pretty desperate to get that baby out of you so you can meet him/her, so anything you can do to try and make it happen soon is great! Good luck!
And if you want some tips on what to do after your baby is born, check out 15 Things to Do After Your Baby is Born.
Elise says
Haha! I tried all of these except the pineapple + lifting lots of heavy stuff, and I don’t remember what else, with both of my kids. No luck. But I’m like you, me no likey being pregnant lol.
Chelsea J says
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who didn’t like being pregnant! It was fun at first, but towards the end it wasn’t the greatest!
Britni Vigil says
So the real question is, did any of these things work? I surprisingly enjoyed being pregnant other than the whole throwing up daily thing.
Britni @ Play. Party. Pin.
Chelsea J says
The walking thing was for sure a go, and I definitely think the red raspberry leaf tea helped, but everything else was more just for fun! It’s crazy how different pregnancies can be, because the only time I threw up was when I got the flu at 6 weeks!
Shaela says
lol, tried them all, AND castor oil (twice) and nothing ever worked for us. But baby came when she was ready and was good and healthy and that’s all that matters 🙂
Chelsea J says
Yeah, that is definitely what is important! And if doing these things helps take your mind off how uncomfortable you are, then I think they help!
Lena V says
I’m with you on no enjoying being pregnant… UGH! Though now I’d take it any day over having a period again. 🙂
I’ll have to remember the tea for next time- I pushed for over 2 hours!!
XO/Lena @ Root&Blossom
Chelsea J says
Oh man no fun! When I started my period again I was like “Ugh, what is this? Gross!” because I hadn’t had it in a year and a half haha. Definitely try the raspberry tea!!
jessica | piganddac says
My midwife totally did the pressure point thing on me! By the ankle 😀 These are some pretty good tips, I walked and walked and walked and walked and then bounced on a birthing ball the day I went into labor! And by the time the midwife came over, I was already dilated to a 7, so I really think the walking and the ball helped speed that process up! And I loooove RRL tea, it’s SO good for you!
Chelsea J says
Oh man a 7!? That’s impressive! I didn’t get very far until I had been in labor for hours and hours, and that was with the medicine they gave me. I think I want to try the birthing ball next time!
Hilary says
I’m going to have to share this with my friend who is expecting her first baby in December. I’m pretty sure the sex thing works. I was at 38 weeks, and after some quality time with my bf, I had contractions all night and gave birth to our son the next day!
Chelsea says
Yup! It might be slightly embarrassing to talk about, but honestly, that’s how you got that baby in there in the first place so it’s not like people don’t know you aren’t doing it!
BettyCupcakes says
Thanks for joining us at the Foodies and Crafties Soiree! I never had a chance to try any of these because my guy was a month early, but these are so funny! He was breech so I spent the last month upside down and totally contorting myself trying to get him to flip. Didn’t work, but I got some good stretches in!
Chelsea says
Oh man, that sounds rough! I would say hopefully next time you will be on time, but I think every pregnant woman wants to be at least a little early!
gosia says
Wow, what a great list, never heard of some of them, but good to know:)
Thanks for sharing at Foodies & Crafties Soirée!
Gosia | Kiddie Foodies
Chelsea says
Yeah, I hope you get to use them one day! Thanks!
Jelli B. says
Chelsea, I’ve heard some of these before and like you, agree that red raspberry leaf tea did make a difference with my second labor. I even think it had something to do with my contractions being MUCH less painful too. With baby #1 my husband and I had sex to try to get her out faster. Pretty sure that worked too 😉 Pinning your post cause it’s just so helpful!
Chelsea J says
That’s good! Yeah, I will definitely be using that raspberry tea again next time! Anything to get that baby out sooner! Thanks!!
Amanda says
Bookmarking this! I’m 30 weeks now and LOVE being pregnant but have had daily vomiting up until this week! Will be trying these when it’s closer to our little guy’s due date 🙂
Chelsea Johnson says
Oh man I can’t believe your morning sickness has gone on that long! I am so sorry! Good luck with your baby! You can do it!
Anonymous says
Hahaha With my son it just started, with my daughter labor started that morning and contractions were about an hour apart, my 7pm they were still 20minutes apart. Hubby suggested we do ‘IT’ one last time since it would be at least a few weeks. Sex worked, I went from 20 to 1.5minutes in less than half an hour.
Chelsea Johnson says
That is crazy! There are definitely certain things that help speed it up!!
Anonymous says
Wow Im going to have to try this I am 34 weeks now. They are taking him at 38 weeks maybe I can jump start in a few weeks. I have had a crapy pregnancy. The Flu allergies Brackion hick every day sence 29 weeks. The list goes on.
Chelsea Johnson says
I’m sorry! Pregnancy can be rough. I have allergies, too and they seem to be a lot worse this time (probably because it’s summer!). I hope it gets better for you!
brachapai says
With my first two pregnancies back in 2009 and 2011 I did all of these things. 😛 I found the Raspberry Leaf Tea to be the most helpful! I was actually enjoying a cup when I went into labor three days early with my second! As you’re sipping it you can feel slight contractions, it’s pretty crazy! From beginning to end my labor + delivery was 3.5 hours with my first and 2.5 with my second.
Chelsea Johnson says
Impressive! I can’t imagine what a third pregnancy would be like for you!!
Kaycee says
There’s also another pressure point on your shoulders that we’re warned about in massage school. Half way between the base of your neck and outside of your shoulder. don’t know if it actually works but it was on the list of spots not to push on for pregnant women. The one on the ankle works so well because its the reflexology point for the uterus. same with the spot on the hand.
We were trying to hurry our little one along for insurance purposes! (It expired 3 days after she was born) We tried a few things. In the end my doctor was on board with the idea and did something called stripping the membranes… Slightly uncomfortable,, but i started having contractions at probably 8 o’clock that night and was ready to go to the hospital at 4am the next morning!
Chelsea Johnson says
I haven’t heard of the shoulder pressure point, but it sounds like it might! And I have heard of stripping the membranes!