Old Wives Tales to Induce Labor

by Deborah Cruz on April 23, 2012

Post image for Old Wives Tales to Induce Labor

The last month of pregnancy is the time in a pregnancy when a mother’s desire to meet her baby becomes so great that it’s almost overwhelming. Couple that with the feeling of being about to bust and full to capacity and there I was searching the Internet high and low and polling anyone whom I could get to stand still on how I could induce labor.

I was desperate to meet my baby and exhausted. This is before I actually had my child, so I was not aware how much more tired I would become once the baby was out in the world.

Here are a few of the suggestions I found to induce labor after 37 weeks:

Pineapple: Eat loads of pineapple to bring on labor.

Stimulating nipples: Stimulation of the breasts is supposed to bring on contractions.

Castor oil: Castor oil is supposed to cause diarrhea and induce labor. I personally would not recommend anyone try this. It sounds dangerous and no thanks on the diarrhea and being pregnant.

Sex: It is said that semen helps ripen the cervix and an orgasm gets your uterus contracting, stimulating the start of labor.

Eating spicy food: It is said that the heat from the spice can stimulate contractions.

Long drives on bumpy roads: I’m not sure how this is supposed to work, other than perhaps breaking your water. Either way, it doesn’t seem like a very pleasant thing to endure.

What was your secret to inducing labor? What’s the craziest old wives tale that you’ve ever heard concerning pregnancy?

Photo Source: BradleyGee

  • http://www.centraljerseyworkingmoms.com CC Fowler

    Reading your post brought a smile to my face. I was trying to induce labor with my first and tried all of the above to no avail! In the end, I was induced at the hospital, had a decent delivery and welcomed our very first into the world. This summer she turns 8 but reading your post brought me right back to the those last summer days before she came!

  • Penny W.

    Out of that list I think the only pleasant ones are the pineapple and the sex!! :D Preferably not at the same time.

  • http://mytimeasmom.com Jessica

    I never heard about eating pineapple. I would add walking to the list.

  • http://www.thingsicantsay.com Shell

    Spicy foods did seem to work for me.

  • http://www.twobearsfarm.com Lisa @ Two Bears Farm

    I tried pineapple, eggplant parmesan, and other remedies, including evening primrose oil, when I was 38+ weeks preggo w/ my twins. They came when they were ready, that’s for sure.

  • http://www.livingthescream.com Living The Scream

    I swear that this specific pizza place put me into labor with my second. I am about 6 weeks away from having my 4th and am hoping not have to do any of these to start labor. They do not sound fun. lol

Previous post:

Next post: