Tips on how to bring on labour

Methods to consider for bringing on labour

You’ve probably heard stories from other people about a range of different remedies you can try to help bring on labour. Please be really careful and talk to your midwife before you try any of the techniques listed here.

Try getting active

Go for a gentle walk

Taking gentle walks is thought to help bring on labour because the movement of your body encourages your baby to get into the birthing position with their head engaged. Keep your walking pace relaxed and either go with someone or stay close to home, just in case labour starts.

Birthing balls

You can get hold of birthing balls quite cheaply and they’re very useful during pregnancy and labour, providing gentle support for your body.

Sitting and rocking on your birth ball can help get your overdue baby to get moving, as the natural swaying motion of your lower body encourages your baby to get into a good position for birth.

Get your hormones going!

Have some gentle sex

Sex must be one of the oldest techniques in the book for helping bring on labour, but

remember if your waters have already broken don’t try it as it raises the risk of infection. Sex can help bring on labour because during sex and orgasm the hormone oxytocin is released which stimulates contractions.

For a comfortable position with a big bump try the spoons position, where you both lie on your side and your partner lies behind you.

Give your nipples a gentle massage

Some midwives say that gently stimulating your breasts and in particular your nipples can stimulate contractions, again by releasing the hormone oxytocin.

You need to gently massage the areola area with your palm for 15-20 minutes every hour for several hours each day for the hormone release to have an effect on your overdue baby.

Eat, drink - and give birth?

Eat spicy foods

There’s not much evidence for the spicy food idea. The theory is that the cervix and digestive system are closely connected through the same neural network, so stimulating one will get the other fired up.

If you enjoy spicy foods you can try it – but beware the possible unwanted side effects of indigestion, heartburn or emergency trips to the loo!


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