Labor inducing massage we found had best effects in combination within a gentle, deeply relaxing, meditative dynamic Thai massage. Usually it is merely given as a trigger point massage. Embedded in a dynamic Thai treatment you will just enjoy and release a lot of mental pressure, you`ll feel ease. Beneficial also is a talk after with your theapist.
What’s an Induction Massage?
An induction massage is a good option for pregnant women who are fearful of acupuncture or who are suffering from stress, anxiety or fatigue. There is no guarantee that an induction massage will induce labor, but because it relaxes you, it can put you back on the labor path and encourage labor
Has your due date come and gone? Can’t wait another minute to carry your baby in your arms rather than in your belly?
If so, you’re probably itching to give your body a little nudge to bring on labor. While there are no surefire techniques to coax your baby into the world (besides being induced by a doc), there is some research to back up these natural ways to induce labor — if your body (and baby) are ready to cooperate.
But before you try any of these at home, get your practitioner’s okay — after all, you don’t want to push your bun out of the oven before it’s fully cooked. Once you’ve gotten the green light from your doctor or midwife, go ahead and find out how to induce labor naturally.
Walking
The simple act of walking during pregnancy may help draw the baby down into your pelvis (thanks to gravity and the swaying of your hips). The pressure of the baby on your pelvis may then prime your cervix for labor — or may help labor progress if you’ve already felt some contractions.
And if walking doesn’t do the trick, it’ll at least get you in shape for delivery day. Just don’t walk too much and tire yourself out before your due date. You’ll need all the energy you can muster to push out that baby of yours!
Sex
While it may seem almost impossible to pull off a romp in the sack when you’re 40 weeks pregnant (and counting!), you may want to give sex a try. Sperm contains prostaglandins — hormones that can help thin and dilate the cervix, ripening it for delivery.
Or not. Some research shows that women who continue to have sex late in pregnancy might carry their babies longer than those who abstain.
Either way, this no-cost attempt to induce labor naturally may relieve some tension and is a healthy way to strengthen your twosome right before you become a threesome.
Evening primrose oil
Many midwives suggest evening primrose oil for their pregnant patients, since this herb can help the cervix thin and dilate and prep it for labor. You can take evening primrose oil capsules during the last weeks of pregnancy.
But be sure to talk to your practitioner before trying evening primrose oil — women with placenta previa should stay away from the herb.
There are other herbs — like red raspberry leaf and black cohosh — that also can induce labor naturally. However, no studies have been done to establish their safety. In fact, reports have suggested that some may even cause harm to a fetus — so don’t use any herbs without getting the green light from your doctor or midwife first.
Castor oil
What’s the 411 on this vegetable oil? Castor oil is a laxative (and not a very tasty one, either). Women have been passing down this tradition for generations because if you take a shot of it, it can stimulate your bowels (by causing spasms in the intestines) and, in turn, irritate your uterus and cause it to start contracting. Some small studies support this assertion.
But it’s best to avoid trying castor oil altogether when you’re pregnant. If you’re not already showing signs of labor, taking castor oil can just give you a bad case of diarrhea (something you probably want to avoid this close to childbirth).
Bottom line: Steer clear of castor oil completely. If you really want to try a spoonful, talk with your practitioner first.
Spicy Food
Can spicy food really bring on labor? Some people believe that spicy food, like castor oil, irritates your intestines (but more gently) and that can cause your uterus to contract. Therefore, many doctors advise against trying spicy food, as it may only cause stomach upset. Plus, there’s no evidence that proves that spicy foods are natural labor inducers.
But if you generally tolerate spicy food well and think your bloated belly can stomach a couple of chili tacos, go for it. Just remember that you might bring on heartburn instead of labor.