If you are in the last weeks of your pregnancy, you must be looking for home remedies to induce labor naturally.
Natural birth is the most recommended and desired way of delivery. Using a few powerful home remedies to induce labor can help you achieve the same.
Delivery is a very fragile process, and the well-being of the baby depends on a proper delivery. The normal delivery time can be preponed or postponed by 5 to 10 days from the actual expected date given by the doctor. But when it increases it can be the sign of some complications arriving against the delivery.
So, opting for home remedies to reduce labor naturally is effective for your health and your baby’s health too. Here are the most powerful home remedies to induce labor that you can try with a close eye.
Table of Contents
What Exactly Is Labor?
Labor is the pain you experience in your lower abdomen and back when you have reached the time to deliver your baby. It is more like heavy and strong menstrual cramps.
The early signs that you are going into labor are:
- Persistent lower back and abdomen pain and you feel like you are getting menstrual cramps.
- Painful irregular contractions.
- Water bag breaks which are the amniotic sacs. It can sometimes happen long before you get into labor.
- A brownish color discharge.
- Upset tummy or lose bowels.
- You may feel upset or anxious.
- Disrupted sleep.
It is very hard for some of you to get into labor at the appropriate time and that we present you some home remedies which will help you in the former process.
Home Remedies To Induce Labor At 37 / 38 Weeks:
1. Walking:
Walking is one of the natural ways to perform when you have undergone your first contractions. It will increase the frequency of contraction and help in easy labor. It also encourages the baby to get through the cervix.
Try to walk from your home to the ambulance if you are going for delivery. Do not forget to keep some energy in reserve as you will require it for later stages of your labor. Stay hydrated.
2. Nipple Stimulation:
Nipple stimulation increases oxytocin level in blood, which in turn induces contraction.
Massage around your nipples for at least 15 minutes and massage only one nipple at a time. Do this at an interval and do not do it more than 3 times a day. Use a moisturizer while massaging.
3. Castor oil:
Drinking castor oil stimulates contractions in the gut which moves on to the uterus to bring the first uterine contraction at the earliest. Do not drink more than 60 ml as a lot of castor oil can cause severe diarrhea which is not good for you and your baby.
Drink castor oil along with milk.
4. Dates:
Recent experiments have been revealed that dates can be a very effective way to induce labor. It makes your contractions longer which helps dilating your cervix to the maximum. You should eat at least 6 dates every day for at least 2 weeks before your expected date to bring about the first phase of labor very early.
Although do not over eat dates, as it may cause stomach upset and excessive heating of your body. Try to drink milk after eating dates.
5. Pineapple:
Pineapple fruit contains a proteolytic enzyme called Bromelain which helps in inducing labor.
A single pineapple doesn’t contain a lot of bromelains to induce labor that is why you should eat at least 2 pineapples. And if you juice it out, then at least 6 pineapples are required.
Always remember to drink or fresh pineapple juice, as bromelain degrades very fast and canned fruits do not contain bromelain.
It should only be taken during the last month of the gestational period.
How to make pineapple juice?
- Peel out few pineapples and take out the eyes.
- Cut the pineapple pieces and put it in a blender.
- Juice them out.
- You can strain it, but unstrained juice is better as it contains fibers and essential minerals.
- Drink it once a day.
Do not over eat pineapples as it causes diarrhea and heartburn.
6. Climb stairs:
This is a pretty risky but useful method for women who are overdue. Climbing stairs help to position the baby along the cervix and also gives a certain pressure to the uterine wall which helps in the breaking of water.
But do remember not to exhaust yourself and as it is risky do not forget to consult your doctor once.
7. Spicy Foods:
It is often used as a cervix ripening agent. Try to involve spices in your diet but not much to leave you panting for water!
8. Massage:
A massage on the right parts by an expert induces labor. It relieves stress and keeps vomiting and nausea at bay.
9. Warm Bath:
Warm water bath can induce labor, but it should be noted that the temperature of the water should not be very high because it will cause the baby unnecessary stress. You can add 1-2 drops of lavender oil to the bath water.
10. Balsamic Vinegar:
Sour balsamic vinegar is also a natural remedy to trigger labor.
You can add 2 spoonfuls to your salad and try having it at least for 5 days.
11. Banana:
I think you know why we eat a banana to release constipation. It causes waves in the stomach. Similarly, it induces labor as it causes muscle contractions being high in potassium. But do not over eat them.
12. Wine:
It is believed that wine enhances the anticipation of getting early labor contractions, but for safety, it is not usually recommended.
13. Raspberry Leaf:
Raspberry leaf acts as a uterine tonic to induce labor. It also increases breast milk secretion in the mother after she delivers the baby. To prepare raspberry tea-
- Boil a cup of water by adding 2-5 raspberry leaves for 10 minutes.
- Let it cool down a bit and let the leaves steep into the water.
- Drink it 2 times a day and prepare fresh tea every time.
14. Cinnamon stick tea:
This is another cervix ripening agent. It can be taken while you are close to your due date. To prepare it-
- Boil a cup of water with 4-5 cinnamon sticks.
- Let it steep into the water and then drink.
- Remember to prepare it fresh.
- Drink once a day.
15. Basil:
Basil is a labor-inducing agent. It can use spice and add it to your food for basil intake. You can also prepare a tea from basil leaves using the same method as raspberry leaves.
16. Black cohosh and blue cohosh:
Blue cohosh is considered as a very good labor-inducing agent.
Make a tea by adding the herb parts in boiling water for 5 minutes and drink it every day in the morning.
Black cohosh is used to nourish and strengthen the uterine tissues and hence cause contractions.
Add 5 drops of tincture of this herb to a cup of water. Start with 1 cup a day then increases the quantity to 2 cups per day, until you get labor. You can also increase the quantity of black cohosh tincture that is 10 drops per cup, but you must consult a doctor to know the appropriate dose suiting you.
You should not consume this under doctor’s consent as there are various side effects of black cohosh-
- Low blood pressure.
- Postpartum hemorrhage.
- Visual disturbance.
- Unruly heartbeat.
17. Licorice roots:
It is the laxative agent and hence helps produces contractions in the intestinal wall which further produces contractions in the uterus.
Make fresh licorice tea from the roots and take in the morning. Do not consume too much because it might cause excessive stomach upset.
18. Cumin tea:
Cumin is a natural labor stimulating agent.Add 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds in a bowl of boiling water. Cumin is bitter so you can add the small chunk of raw potato to reduce the bitterness. Strain the tea and drink it.
19. Ginger tea:
It encourages labor. You can ginger tea by adding pieces of ginger in boiling water. You can also chew some garlic pieces.
Ginger beer and ginger cookies will also help.
It should be taken 5 gm. Every day.
20. Thyme tea:
Steep thyme tea leaves into boiling water to make this tea. It is a considerable agent for labor stimulating labor pain.
21. Cotton root tea:
This tea induces labor and increases contractions during parturition. It also boosts up the production of milk in the breastfeeding mothers.
Prepare the same way as other tea.
You can also mix root tincture with warm milk and drink.
22. Basil and oregano mixture:
You can consume Basil or Oregano in your tea or use it as a spice while cooking your favorite dish. The leaves can be boiled in hot water, strained and the water can be consumed to induce natural birth. Both herbs stimulate hormonal changes in the body during childbirth. Basil alone can stimulate birth but with oregano its capacity increases, so it is recommended to use basil with oregano.
23. Blessed thistle herb:
A commonly used herb for inducing childbirth is Blessed Thistle that is known for effectively enhancing lactation in women. Along with reducing menstrual cramps, the herb is also high in Vitamin B, potassium, iron, calcium and other minerals. It also softens the cervix to enhance labor. To prepare for it:
- Use 1-2 teaspoons of dried thistle in a cup of boiling water to make tea.
- Drink 3 times a day.
- You cam boil potato along with it to tackle the extreme bitterness.
- Take it after consulting a doctor.
24. Wild yam root:
The herb is rich in glycosides that assist in producing the reproductive hormones progesterone and estrogen. It has been proved safer than most allopathic medicines because it balances hormones and helps in childbirth safely.
Ten drops of this herbal extract can be mixed with Haw tincture for an effective way to induce labor.
25. Squaw vine:
Squaw Vine safe in late pregnancy and can be consumed in the form of herbal tonic that-
- Relieves congestion.
- Strengthens uterine wall
- Have antiseptic properties.
- The most preferred alternative as a labor-inducing agent.
Drink it as a tea along with raspberry leaves to enhance its action.
26. Shepherd’s purse:
Hemorrhages that could affect childbirth can be treated using this herb which is a blood coagulant and also a vaso constrictor. The herb is an excellent source to induce labor since it enhances uterine contractions.
It can either be consumed in capsule form or made into a tincture. It should be used only during the third-trimester stage.
27. Peppermint:
Peppermint is a very useful herb to bring about labor. Because of its characteristic smell and mint taste, you can prepare the peppermint tea or use as a flavor enhancing agent in your regular tea. Do not over eat it as it might be toxic to the liver and kidney.
28. Dong Quai:
It can be called as a fertility-promoting agent. It is used for treating placental adherent. The herb can be taken in the form of tea, using the root by boiling in hot water. 10-20 drops a day is appropriate to induce childbirth.
29. Goldenseal:
The herb has an oxytocic property that helps in stimulating uterine contractions to induce labor. It can be consumed in the form of a beverage like tea however it isn’t considered a safe option by most home birth practitioners.
30. Partridgeberry:
Mélange into tea, this herb has same properties as raspberry, with the ability to treat menstrual pain and reduce heavy bleeding symptoms. The herb soothes cracked nipples, and its herbal extract is a stimulant for childbirth. Prepare tea with its extraction and drink 2 times a day.
31. Motherwort:
One of the natural ways to induce labor is using Motherwort which acts as a soothing uterine tonic for women suffering from labor pain.
It helps in preparing the body for labor and should be consumed only in the last weeks of the gestation period to avoid miscarriage.You should take it as a tincture along with warm water.
32. Aloe vera:
Aloe vera is a very useful herb for treating various skin diseases and also is used as a laxative agent hence produces contractions in the uterus. You can take aloe vera pills or juices out aloe vera leaves and drink it with milk.Drink it with milk or warm water. You can also brew aloe vera leaves in warm water and drink it.
33. Borage:
Borage, a popular herb is used in the late stages of pregnancy for cervical ripening which is the starting step for labor.The oil contains linoleic acid which treats vaginal inflammation and soothes uterine walls during labor.Gulp one tablespoon daily.
34. Birth balls:
This is a recommended method by the physician. Exercising on a birth ball helps in-
- Enlargement of the pelvic area.
- Counter pressure on thighs and hips.
- Develops natural flexibility in the body which eases the process of labor and produces uterine contractions easily.
35. Eggplant:
This vegetable is rich in iron and possibly one of the best natural ingredients for inducing labor at home. You can include this in your daily diet and eat with your daily lunch or dinner. There are various recipes for eggplants available; you can try the below one.
- Burn one eggplant whole on medium gas till it becomes black from the outer side.
- Remove the skin with the help of wet hands.
- Scrap the inner portion in a bowl containing one spoon of olive oil, salt, turmeric powder, and cut onions.
- Fry it a little in a saucepan.
36. Orange juice and Milk:
The mixture of these two produces a reaction of low and high pH which helps in stimulation of labor pain. Mix a half cup of orange juice by juicing out two ripe orange and produce a shake with milk. You can apply ice in the shake to make it a very hydrating drink.
37. Cayenne pepper:
It is a natural spice which is red and hot pepper which has chemical capsaicin that produces heat inside your body and helps in upsetting the stomach. This, in turn, helps in the contraction of uterine muscles.
38. Papaya:
Papaya contains another proteolytic enzyme which is known as papain. It helps in uterine stimulation. Eat 3-4 papaya a day to bring about labor. It softens the cervix and prepares the uterus for delivery.It should be eaten in the last month of the gestational period.
Conclusion:
- Make fresh tea always.
- Always eat freshly prepared tinctures and herbal extract.
- Eat freshly cut fruits for the best action.
- Do the exercises very cautiously.
- Always stay hydrated and full of energy.
- Do these remedies only in the presence of some relative or friend. Do not do it alone as you might have to be taken to a hospital very soon!
Even if we have included the safest methods only, it is recommended for you to consult your doctor before trying out any of this and especially to find out the doses of the herbs which is appropriate for your health. Try to avoid these if you-
- Blood clotting disorder.
- Pregnant women who are not intended to induce labor.
- Liver disease.
- Allergic to any herb.
- Uterine or breast cancer.
Be safe and contribute another cute little soul to this beautiful earth!
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