Note: if you give your body enough time you will go into labor on your own without doing any of these additional measures. However the following options can be extremely effective at ripening your cervix and perhaps bringing on contractions, so they may be useful in cases of a very slow start to labor that you're looking to speed up, or when preparing your body for a proposed medical induction.
Chiropractic Care: This can help open your hips and align baby into an optimal position for birth. Seeing a chiropractor at any time during your pregnancy is encouraged and safe. We especially recommend it if you're experiencing prodromal (long and slow on and off) labor; approaching or past your estimated due date and ready for labor to begin; feeling pelvic or back discomfort; preparing for a medical induction. (See the list below for our recommended chiropractors who specialize in pregnancy and labor.)
Miles Circuit: This is a specific series of stretches and positions used to open the pelvis and help rotate baby into an optimal position for birth. The full circuit takes 90 minutes to complete. If you wish, you can begin doing this daily starting at 37 weeks. Alternatively, you can wait until you're closer to your estimated due date or proposed induction date. Link: http://www.milescircuit.com/
Acupuncture: Acupuncture as an induction method is used primarily to ripen your cervix. Seeing an acupuncturist at any time during your pregnancy is encouraged and safe. We especially recommend it if you're experiencing any kind of physical or emotional discomfort; prodromal (long and slow on and off) labor; approaching or past your estimated due date and ready for labor to begin, or preparing for a medical induction. If you're truly trying to induce labor with acupuncture we recommend scheduling three daily treatments back-to-back. Evidence: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-125-evidence-on-acupressure-acupuncture-and-breast-stimulation/ Our recommended acupuncturists are Family Tree Holistic Health in Arlington Heights. If that isn't convenient for you please let us know so we can help find you someone who is skilled in working with pregnant and laboring clients.
Intercourse: Semen has prostaglandins, a hormone-like compound that is used to begin many medical inductions (often called "cervadil"). Semen will help to soften and ripen your cervix. Orgasm releases oxytocin in your body, the other chemical used in most medical inductions (often called "Pitocin.") Simply put: intercourse involving semen and orgasm offers many of the same effects as a medical induction. Intercourse is safe at any time in your pregnancy. Evidence: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-on-pineapple-and-sex-for-natural-labor-induction/
Nipple Stimulation: Nipple stimulation will release oxytocin in your body, which is the natural version of a synthetic chemical used in most medical inductions (often called "Pitocin"). You and/or your partner can perform manual nipple stimulation, or once you're ready for labor to begin you can use a breast pump. Nipple stimulation, especially with the breast pump, will likely bring on strong contractions. The protocol for induction via nipple stimulation is to perform nipple stimulation one one side/breast at a time, alternating sides every 15 minutes, for a total of one hour. When you feel a contraction stop the stimulation, wait for the contraction to pass, and then continue the stimulation. Stop the stimulation if contractions start coming every three minutes (or more frequently), or last more than a minute long. This one-hour protocol can be performed daily until labor. Evidence: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-125-evidence-on-acupressure-acupuncture-and-breast-stimulation/
Membrane Stretch and Sweep: During a cervical exam your midwife or physician can perform something called a membrane stretch and sweep (sometimes called a "sweep") in which they irritate your cervix. This procedure is shown to help ripen your cervix and increase your odds of a successful medical induction. However, it can also lead to accidental breaking of your waters or prodromal labor. The stretch and sweep can be a useful tool if performed within one week of a scheduled medical induction.
Castor Oil: Castor oil is often considered a "last resort" prior to a medical induction, due to the potential side effects. It will likely give you diarrhea and possible nausea. It can be a very effective induction method. You will need to weigh the potential risks and benefits for yourself. Many people feel that it is appropriate to use castor oil as a holistic option when attempting to avoid a more medicalized induction. Evidence: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/ebb-128-inducing-labor-with-castor-oil-and-dates/
Community Resources Note: This is an ever-evolving list. Please share any experience you have with any providers listed here: good, bad, or indifferent. If you've worked with another provider that you'd recommend please let us know so we can grow this list.
