Labor Inducing Recipes to Try When Your Due Date Is Approaching (2024)

FAQs

What induces Labour immediately? ›

Sexual intercourse

For starters, it can release oxytocin from the brain – the same chemical that causes contractions. And it can also release prostaglandins, which help the cervix naturally soften and prepare for labor. Be sure to ask your doctor whether you have the go-ahead to give sex at this time a try.

That said, most of the foods credited with kick-starting labor, such as pineapple, dates, eggplant parm and spicy dishes, are perfectly safe to eat in moderation during pregnancy, although they can sometimes lead to heartburn or an upset stomach.

Red raspberry leaf tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the raspberry plant. The tea has been used throughout history for medicinal purposes, particularly for uterine and pregnancy health. Some women also drink it to help induce labor, although there's no evidence this works.

Before your induction:

Eat and drink before coming to the hospital unless you are told not to. Eat something light, such as fruit, yogurt, or cereal. You will be given other instructions for how to take your medicines and eat if you have diabetes or gestational diabetes.

So it's no wonder the internet is full of tips and tricks to naturally induce labor. There's one that's taking over #pregnancytok: The Starbucks “labor drink” aka the Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade with raspberry syrup, which many pregnant women claim induces labor.

Ellson explains that movement can boost oxytocin, which will lead to stronger contractions and quicker cervical dilation. In other words, as those regular contractions start to kick into gear, consider doing some low-intensity exercises to dilate the cervix faster, or just go for a walk while you still can.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that exercise, sex, and eating certain foods may help move labor along. But it's best to talk with a healthcare professional before attempting to induce labor. Your due date is an educated guess of when your baby might arrive.

Pineapple hasn't been proven to start contractions or labor, especially considering that the stomach will probably break down the enzymes before they reach your uterus anyway.

Pineapple is thought to work because it contains an enzyme called bromelain, which breaks down proteins in tissue and may soften the cervix or encourage it to loosen. However, there is no concrete scientific evidence to prove that eating pineapples can induce labor.

Unfortunately, there's no evidence that this aromatic spice will help induce labor, and in large quantities, cinnamon may actually be harmful to pregnant women.

Do spicy foods induce labor? ›

For instance, spicy food can irritate the gut, which may cause uterine contractions. But there's no evidence that will send you straight to the labor and delivery ward. The same with foods like papaya and pineapple. Enzymes in these fruits are thought by some to trigger contractions.

This review, with only three studies with two different comparisons, concludes that induction of labour in the evening is as effective and safe as induction in the morning. However, given the preference of most women, administration of prostaglandins should preferably be done in the morning.

Users share stories that they were in labor the next day — or sometimes within hours. Some have tried eating a whole pineapple in one sitting, often causing more (or less) than the desired result, as potential bromelain side effects include nausea, stomachache, and diarrhea.