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How to induce labor

Pregnancy might be only 40 weeks long, but it can feel like a century, especially on the home stretch. And when you’ve reached 39 weeks, 40 weeks, or beyond, you might start getting impatient — which is understandable.

Not only are you likely becoming increasingly uncomfortable, but you’re also probably excited to meet your bundle of joy. If you’re like a lot of pregnant folks, you might be thinking, “If only there were a way to make this go faster.”

As it turns out, there might be a few ways. You can be medically induced when necessary. You can also try several “natural” induction strategies at home. While most of the latter options aren’t backed by science, most are okay to try in a low-risk pregnancy. Here’s what you should know.

When and how do healthcare providers induce labor?

Around 30% of all births in the U.S. are induced. While waiting for Baby to declare their birthday is ideal for healthy pregnancies, there are many reasons why induction of labor may be recommended. In some cases, pregnancy complications arise that put you and/or baby at increased risk, and this may mean that giving birth is the safest intervention. If vaginal birth is the plan, induction of labor is the way to get there before labor has started all on its own.

Here are some different ways healthcare providers can medically induce labor.

  • Stripping the Membranes: Your healthcare provider may try to coax you into labor by “stripping the membranes.” This involves your OB provider running their finger along the inside of your cervix to release labor-friendly prostaglandins. It feels like a longer and crampier than normal cervical check. It’s generally done in the office; afterward, you wait at home for about 24-48 hours to see if it takes effect. It can only be done if the cervix is already slightly open (dilated). You can expect to have some spotting and cramping for a day or so after having this done.
  • Rupturing the Membranes: “Ruptured membranes” is the medical way to say your water broke, and is stimulating labor. With this induction method, your healthcare provider uses a small hook to make a hole in the membranes (the amniotic sac). It’s usually not painful, but you might feel a warm gush of liquid like you would if your water broke on its own. Because the barrier between Baby and the outside world is broken, this may increase the chance for infection and vaginal exams should be minimized after this is done.
  • Ripening the cervix: In some cases, prostaglandins in pill form are taken by mouth or inserted into the vagina. This is a common approach when a cervix is fully closed or only open a very small amount. These medicines can trigger contractions and soften the cervix so it opens. This is often done overnight in the hospital, as it’s usually a slow part of the induction process, and in some cases, it’s possible to rest or sleep.
  • Foley bulb: a flexible catheter with 1 or 2 balloons is placed inside the cervix by your OB provider. This helps to dilate the cervix mechanically and can allow some parents to go home for 12 hours and wait for labor to start. In the hospital, these can be used alongside other medications for a quicker effect. 
  • Pitocin: Pitocin is the synthetic version of the hormone oxytocin, which causes contractions. When given intravenously (through an IV catheter in your vein), it causes contractions. This is often used after cervical ripening, or if that step wasn’t necessary, at the very beginning of an induction. It can also be used to increase the frequency of contractions in labor that’s already started. This is called labor augmentation.

Inducing labor at home

As we mentioned, research on the effectiveness of at-home methods of labor isn’t strong, yet many people swear by what worked for them. If you’re right around 40 weeks pregnant and don’t have an apparent need to be medically induced, there are a few things you can try after talking it over with your OB provider.

  • Walking or climbing stairs: Walking is a great form of exercise during pregnancy. Some people believe taking walks encourages your baby to make their way down the birth canal.
  • Spicy foods or pineapple: Another theory suggests eating spicy foods or fresh pineapple juice irritates your intestines and kickstart contractions. While it’s true an upset stomach can make the uterus contract, there’s no proof it results in labor. Also, you could end up with uncomfortable diarrhea or heartburn.
  • Sex: Getting busy can make your body release oxytocin, the hormone that’s partly behind labor contractions. In theory, this could help you go into labor sooner, but it hasn’t been backed up by research. Other people think that the prostaglandins in semen may help the cervix soften. If you’re comfortable, you can give it a try!
  • Eating dates: Some small studies suggest that eating dates daily in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy can reduce the risk of needing a medical induction, and/or make labor shorter. Caution is advised for gestational diabetics who may not be able to eat 5-6 dates each day due to their high sugar content.
  • Nipple stimulation: Whether by hand or pump, nipple stimulation can increase how often the uterus contracts. However, Research is ongoing to investigate if it causes labor to start or reduces the need for medical induction. 
  • Acupuncture: Some people swear by acupuncture for inducing labor. However, randomized trials haven’t been able to prove it has any effect on the timing.
  • Red Raspberry Leaf: A mainstay of many people’s routine at the end of pregnancy, this herb has been used in many cultures with the belief that it aids in strengthening the uterus and helping labor start all on its own. Commonly, it’s taken in tea form. One small study even showed a slightly shorter pushing phase for those who took red raspberry leaf tablets. The jury is still out, though, as other studies have shown no benefit to its use. 
  • Castor oil/herbal remedies: Although many people try these at-home ways of inducing labor, they can carry significant risks. Please discuss their use with your OB provider before going it alone.

At the end of a healthy pregnancy, it can be tricky to navigate the waiting game. While these at-home techniques are generally fine to try, make sure to check with your healthcare provider before attempting to induce labor on your own.

Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team

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