A mom writes in asking for advice about speeding up the labor process. She says she is about 39 weeks pregnant. Her doctor informed her that she is currently dilated between 3 and 4 centimeters. She has been having mild contractions. She turns to our community of moms for advice on ways she might naturally help speed the labor process along, though she specifies she’s looking for suggestions other than having sex.
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A member of the community asks:
“How can I naturally speed up the labor process?
I’m 39 weeks tomorrow. At my doctor’s appointment Thursday, she said I’m dilated between 3 to 4 cm. I’ve been having mild contractions. Maybe about one an hour, at most two. Any advice on how to get things going more other than having sex? [Do NOT suggest castor oil].”
– Mamas Uncut Community Member
Community Advice for This Mom Who Wants to Naturally Speed Up the Labor Process
To see what advice the Mamas Uncut Facebook community has for this mom in need, read the comments of the post embedded below.
Advice Summary
The community offered this mom in need a lot of great advice. Read some of their responses below.
“My midwife told me organic raspberry leaf tea helps some woman. I made a strong glass and went into labor not even 12 hours later.”
“Sitting/bouncing on a yoga ball. The big one helps to position baby and actually feels pretty good on the back.”
“Nothing. The baby will come when he/she is good and ready. As much as we want them out, they decide.”
“Squats and walks! Both of my friends did it and they went into labor either that night or the next day.”
“Walk… I promise you… 40 weeks… Induction scheduled, decided to go to Walmart after the appointment… Contractions started while I was walking thru the store… Just kept walking… For about an hour… Got home… Around 10 that night they got serious… The doctor told me to come in… Got to the hospital and she was here within 45 minutes… I was 9 centimeters when I got to the hospital, water broke, no time for anything.”
“Bouncing on a yoga ball worked for me (3 days). I even labored on it until I was at 10 mins apart then went to the hospital when I couldn’t take it anymore, my water broke right in front of the hospital as I was getting out of the car, like in the movies lol. I also worked out and did Zumba my entire pregnancy and past my 38th week against my OB’s order. It was my fourth pregnancy and I knew what I was doing.”
“I did a lot of walking and when watching a movie I would sit and bounce on an exercise ball. Not like big bouncing, just comfortable bouncing that doesn’t exhaust you and doesn’t require much effort. Gravity worked in my favor.”
“Decide you’re not ready, then BOOM, baby says TF you better get ready!”
“Pineapple juice, spicy foods, walking, stairs, squatting on an exercise ball, membrane sweep, sex (make sure he finishes inside). Pretty much the labor-inducing list. Good luck! Or they can break your water and go from there if you really need it.”
“I had my membranes swept, and I bounced on an exercise ball constantly & I found that really helped, it also helped during painful contractions.”
“Nipple stimulation until contractions start being regular. Was told by a midwife that pumping is the easiest way to do it.”
“Evening primrose oil for two days seemed to start the process for me (approved by OB). Doctor told me to expect to be at least a week late because my body was showing no signs of being ready. Walking slowed down my contractions, bouncing on a yoga ball sped them up.”
“Squats!! I did like 5 the night before I went into labor. Use a chair or hold someone’s hands to help with balance.”
“Walk up a hill and drink pineapple juice. I was in labor walking into my induction because of both these things each time.”
“Massage the bottom of your feet. I didn’t believe it but I tried it with my last pregnancy and that same night I went into labor. Good Luck.”
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