Fact or Folklore: 7 old wives’ tales on how to induce labor naturally

You may have heard your friends say, “We thought she was never going to come!” The stories of babies waiting to arrive days or weeks after their original due date can be daunting to eager new mothers. From consuming whole pineapples to taking the bumpiest car rides, we separate fact from fiction on how to induce labor naturally.

Sex

Fact. While there have been contradicting studies in the past, a recent study in 2015 found a link between sex and early onset of labor. The origins of this method is based on the fact that a hormone that helps ripen the cervix for labor, prostaglandin, is found in high concentrations of semen. The study also found female orgasms helped spur contractions.

Exercise

Folklore. From walking around the room to bouncing on an exercise ball, many women turn to exercise to induce labor. Unfortunately, there is no scientific proof that exercise increases the chance of going into labor.

Acupuncture/Acupressure

Fact. Practiced for over 5,000 years, acupuncture and acupressure help various health issues, including inducing labor. Acupuncture involves inserting needles into certain points in the body, while acupressure is applying pressure to those points instead. Both therapies help with ripening the cervix for labor.

Spicy foods

Folklore. Eat as much spicy food as you want, but it won’t bring your little one into the world any sooner. The origins of this method are unknown, but one researcher found while conducting a study on labor inducing myths that pregnant women believed the intestinal activity from eating spicy foods would nudge the uterus.

Breast stimulation

Fact. Massaging the breasts or nipples can help women trying to self-induce labor. When the breasts are stimulated, the oxytocin hormone is released. Oxytocin causes contractions during labor. Research published in 2015 studied over three hundred pregnant women and found that nipple stimulation helped increase natural labor. 

Bumpy car rides

Folklore.  A trip down the road hitting every bump you can find will unfortunately not induce labor. Many believe that the bouncing in the car will cause a woman’s water to break, but there is no scientific evidence supporting this myth.

Pineapple

Folklore. This juicy tropical fruit is loaded with bromelain, an enzyme known to help with inflammation and digestion. The tale is the enzyme will help soften the cervix, but a lack of research on the two makes this tale a myth. However, don’t give up eating pineapples just yet. Bromelain in pineapple can help a woman after birth. According to research, bromelain helps reduce inflammation in breastfeeding women.

While there is scientific proof supporting some of these old wives’ tales, be sure to consult with your health care provider before using any methods to help induce labor naturally.