So, this is an interesting one. But the secret is, there is no natural induction method.
The key is in the title - induce. Inducing is forcing your body to go in to labour before it is meant to *naturally*. For that reason, I'll refer to these methods as 'alternative induction methods'. I go in to lots of detail on due dates, induction and alternative induction methods in my hypnobirthing courses here
Most of the time, there is a very very good reason that your body hasn't gone in to labour by this point. We still don't know exactly what triggers the start of labour, but we do know it is
when your baby is ready for the outside world. We know that it is to do with the baby's lungs maturing and they release prostaglandins, but it is when baby is ready. Inducing labour before this happens, without medical reason, can mean that the baby is being born before their body is ready to manage on it's own, which can have big impacts.
In my hypnobirthing and antenatal courses, we go in to further detail about induction, including those 'natural' induction methods.
Alternative induction methods
Lots of alternative induction methods don't actually have any evidence to back them up, and they're anecdotal. For example:
Sex - the thought behind this works in two ways. One is that semen contains prostaglandins which starts off labour by ripening the cervix, as well as stimulating the cervix. The other way is that when having sex (especially if you orgasm), you'll be releasing lots of oxytocin which is the hormone that drives contractions.
Acupuncture/acupressure - aims to apply pressure to areas on the body to stimulate hormone changes. Low quality studies have shown a more 'favourable cervix' but length of labour was the same or longer. Unlikely to cause harm or issues, some people like continuing acupuncture/acupressure throughout pregnancy anyway.
Aromatherapy - some oils such as clary sage and jasmine are thought to stimulate contractions, but there are concerns about these causing excessive contractions which may be worrying. Using aromatherapy can be lovely in the use of massage towards the end of pregnancy as this will release oxytocin which, as we know, is vital in birth. Nothing wrong with a lovely massage, while being cautious about the oils you use! I will always direct people to Emma Parr Embracing Natural Pregnancy here for any aromatherapy!
Spicy curry - there's no research behind this, but the thought is the curry irritates the digestive system, and emptying the bowel which may allow baby's head to move deeper in to the pelvis, applying pressure to the cervix. This won't do anything if the cervix isn't ripe, but if it is, it may cause contractions.
Hand expressing/pumping - can stimulate contractions, likely to the release of oxytocin. A Cochrane review found 37% of people with a ripe cervix and nipple stimulation went in to labour within 72 hours and only 6% of those went in to labour in 72 hours who didn't do nipple stimulation. This is why when doing hand expressing to collect colostrum at the end of pregnancy, it's advised not to do it too much and to stop if you feel any tightenings.
Pineapple - it is thought to stimulate and relax smooth muscle thought to induce labour, but does reduce prostaglandin receptors. The amount you'd need to eat is huge which can actually burn away at the inside of your mouth (ouch!!).
Dates - very very small studies have been done on eating dates towards the end of pregnancy but it showed to increase spontaneous labour, not need labour speeding up with the drip, shorter early labours and more chance of vaginal birth. The amount of dates to eat is quite large though (6 dates per day for 4 weeks leading to their estimated due date). Some people eat them as they are, others cook them in to something, others make them in to smoothies or dip them in chocolate.
Castor oil - a very powerful laxative that may stimulate the prostaglandin receptors and stimulate contractions. In the UK, however, this is advised against now and some health professionals can appear very concerned if you have taken castor oil to induce labour because it can cause dehydration and stomach-related issues for the birther. Again, not enough evidence to back it up.
Raspberry leaf - either in tea or tablets. It doesn't 'induce' labour but may soften the cervix and relaxes the uterus, but there isn't a need to prepare the utertus for labour, it does that itself. Research hasn't found it to speed up labour or reduce the length of pregnancy.
Walking (also curb walking) - can be good at encouraging baby in to optimal position and pushing baby deeper into the pelvis, but not been shown to induce labour. May tire you out though!
Reflexology - pressure to specific parts of the feet and hands, which directly relate to the organs and nervous system. Some studies have seen it increase the likelihood of spontaneous labour, but the quality is low. Reflexology is great for many things including turning a breech baby, pelvic pain and as ever, I recommend Emma Parr for this too (I used her in my own pregnancy for pelvic pain!)
Whats my opinion on alternative induction methods?
So, I have mixed opinions on these methods. Most of these are not going to cause any harm to you or your baby, so there's no harm in trying them. For some people, they can be a very welcome distraction to being at the end of pregnancy. Some people feel better that they're 'doing something', compared to just waiting. We are a species that seem to really struggle with actually waiting for something and feel the need to do something.
However, I also feel like these methods can really exhaust the birther before they go in to labour. Like lots of walking and curb walking can just be tiring for someone that is at the end of their pregnancy. Or it can be mentally draining. Continuously trying lots of things to induce labour and it not happening can be exhausting too.
I feel that birthers should do what feels right for them. I don't want you to do these alternative methods because you feel like you *have* to do them. If you want to do them because they feel right to you and you feel like you're being productive over it, go for it. But if you feel like they have to be done, or you need to do it to avoid medical induction, don't do it, because you likely won't enjoy it, therefore, you oxytocin isn't nice and high like we want.
Check out my hypnobirthing courses to find out more about pregnancy, labour, birth and those dreaded due dates
There really is no right or wrong. They may not work, but they're unlikely to cause any harm. Your baby will come, in their own time. These methods are super personal choice and you should follow what's right for you. Not what your mum did, midwife is suggesting, everyone in the mum group is telling you to do or Auntie Janet swore by.
And an extra note here - you NEVER have to accept a medical induction, it's your choice. You can wait and see, revisit in a few days/weeks, there are alternatives (and I don't mean induction methods, but other alternatives) and know that you can always say "no".
If you would like to book one of my hypnobirthing courses, check those out here, I would love to see you there
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