Tricks to Induce Labor
From LoveToKnow Pregnancy
Women who have reached their due date may find themselves wishing for tricks to induce labor. Whether they are simply ready to meet their baby, are tired of being pregnant, or want to avoid inducing labor medically, many women claim to have special secrets that purportedly bring about labor and delivery of their child.
Common Labor Tricks
Women have been using natural ways to induce labor for years. Although doctors have varying opinions on whether or not these methods actually work, women often find themselves trying just about anything when their feet are swollen and their pelvic bones are crushed.
Frequent Techniques
Commonly known tricks for bringing about contractions and labor include:
- Acupuncture and acupressure techniques
- Walking
- Having intercourse, especially with an orgasm
- Eating spicy foods or exotic fruits
- Drinking raspberry leaf tea
- Bouncing on an exercise ball or taking a ride down a bumpy dirt road
Although these frequently used techniques are often safe, do not attempt any of them without the approval of a physician. Women who are not at their due date should not attempt any self induction of labor, no matter how harmless the trick may be.
Potentially Dangerous Techniques
Certain known tricks to induce labor have more potentially harmful consequences than others. These induction techniques may or may not work, but they should not be attempted unless under the supervision and approval of a licensed healthcare professional. These techniques include:
- Evening primrose oil: Used to ready the cervix; may cause negative reaction
- Labor Induction Herbs: Certain herbal remedies can cause great harm if not administered by a professional
- Nipple stimulation: Although generally considered safe for most women, it can cause an adverse reaction in some cases
- Castor oil: Drinking castor oil can cause bowel distress and the baby may absorb it
Any pregnancy old wives tale for bringing on labor that sounds even slightly dangerous should not be attempted by women unless they are under the care of a doctor.
Labor Induction Recipes
Many families have secret recipes, however, not every recipe is just for a delicious apple pie. Certain restaurants have gained notoriety for serving special dishes that will send women into labor. While the restaurant labor movement rumor is actually false, it does not stop thousands of women from searching for that dish that will bring their baby into the world.
Women who want to try a natural induction of labor using the famous dishes that supposedly get labor started can find specialty dishes across the U.S. Some of the more legendary ones include:
- Eggplant Parmigiana Alla Scalini’s, at Scalini’s in Georgia
- Caioti’s Balsamic Vinaigrette, also known as the “miracle maternity salad dressing,” at Caioti Pizza Café in California
- Prego Pizza at Skipolini’s Pizza in California
To find locally-made labor inducing platters, ask friends and family where they dined the night before they gave birth. If a common restaurant or dish keeps popping up, it may very well be the local answer for a restaurant induction.
Tricks to Induce Labor: Outcomes
Women across the world all have their own tricks and tips to bring on labor symptoms. Although every pregnant woman knows another who will swear up and down that their labor was brought on by doing x, y, and z, it really comes down to whether the baby is ready to come out.
While doing some of the more common induction techniques can result in contractions, real labor will not begin unless a woman’s body is primed for birth. The tricks to induce labor appear to work best when a woman is dilated, effaced, and is near or past her due date.
It is not unusual for women at the end of their pregnancies to try a few tricks to get labor started. However, women should make sure than all tricks are done under a doctor’s supervision, regardless of how harmless they may seem.
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This page has been accessed 8,061 times. This page was last modified 01:26, 7 August 2009.
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