Light exercises, like walking up and down stairs or sitting on an exercise ball, may also help.
Rest assured that having sex this late in your pregnancy isn’t harmful to you or your baby. If your water is already broken, don’t have sex. The baby is no longer protected by amniotic fluid, and sex could hurt them. Both an orgasm and the prostaglandins in semen naturally stimulate your uterus and thin your cervix, which helps it dilate.
Stimulating your nipples releases a low amount of oxytocin that is safe for your baby. If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, do not try nipple stimulation without consulting your doctor or midwife first.
You might also try listening to calming music, taking a warm shower, or reading a book. Anything that helps you feel calm, cool, and collected will help. Looking for more relaxation? Preliminary studies show that acupressure may help induce labor, although more research is needed. [5] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Other tropical fruits, like kiwi, mango, and papaya may have the same effect. If you like fruits, there’s no harm in trying this method, even if it doesn’t work.
If the tea upsets your stomach, stop drinking it and talk to your doctor or midwife.
Try food like jalapeno peppers, curry, salsa, or anything with fresh garlic.
Castor oil can also cause dehydration, so be sure you’re getting enough liquids.
Risks include breaking the water early, starting contractions that don’t lead to labor, and infection. Talk to your doctor or midwife to see if membrane stripping is right for you and your baby.
While this treatment is pretty effective, it doesn’t work for everyone. However, prostaglandins are preferable to oxytocin since they may reduce the need for a cesarean delivery. You likely won’t be able to use ripening agents if you’re already having contractions. If your cervix doesn’t start to dilate after a few hours, your doctor may send you home. It can take anywhere from hours to days for your cervix to ripen, depending on how soft and thin it was before your doctor administered the prostaglandins. You’ll know the medicine is working when you start to feel contractions. Make sure to tell your doctor if you’ve previously had a cesarean delivery or major uterine surgery. Misoprostol is not recommended in these situations, because the medication increases the risk of uterine rupture. [12] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Oxytocin is used to induce labor when you’re past your due date or your doctor thinks it’s best for you and your baby. Your doctor likely won’t administer oxytocin unless you’re already overdue, your water has broken, or you have a condition like high blood pressure or diabetes.
If you’ve had a prior cesarean birth, a cervical balloon may be your best option.
