Preparing for Labor and Delivery

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Prepare for Labor

Both your body and your mind are preparing for labor. Some things in your body happen naturally but there are many ways to take care of yourself and your baby during this time. Of course, staying healthy is a big priority. Eat nutrient-dense foods, get a good amount of sleep, exercise, and find ways to relax. You can also take time to get some logistics squared away like packing a hospital bag, writing down your birth plan, and setting up a support system. Getting on top of these details can help you feel prepared and ready. 

How Does the Body Prepare for Labor?

The body prepares for labor in a number of ways in the weeks leading up to delivery. The baby will drop down into the pelvis, your cervix will begin to dilate and efface (thin), and you may experience cramping and lower back pain as your muscles and joints are stretching and shifting in preparation for birth. This is also when there is less amniotic fluid, which is why weight gain typically stops. You may also feel fatigued, like you did in the first trimester, as you prepare for labor. 

When Does Your Body Start Preparing for Labor?

Your body starts preparing for labor in the last 2-4 weeks leading up to delivery. If this is your first pregnancy, this is when your baby will drop. Your cervix will start to dilate and thin but this happens at different rates depending on the person. 

How Does Baby Prepare for Labor?

Your baby is still growing and will get into position for labor in the weeks leading up to the birth. 

What Does Induce Labor Mean?

Inducing labor is when your healthcare team starts the labor process by medication or other means (like breaking the amniotic sac). 

What Induces Labor?

Inducing labor is when a healthcare provider starts labor instead of labor starting on its own. A healthcare provider can induce labor in several ways: medication to dilate and efface the cervix, medication to start contractions, breaking the amniotic sac, or using a cervical ripening balloon. 

Is Induced Labor More Painful Than Natural

Induced labor can be more painful than natural labor. This is because contractions come on more quickly and stronger, as opposed to slowly building up. 

How Long Does Induced Labor Take?

Inducing labor can take as little as a few hours or as long as a few days. First-time pregnancies usually take longer. 

What Will Induce Labor Naturally?

There are several ways to induce labor naturally through physical movement and what you eat. Certain exercises, including intercourse and nipple stimulation, can induce labor. Red raspberry leaf and castor oil can also help. Acupuncture is another way to naturally promote the onset of labor. 

Can Exercise Induce Labor?

Yes, exercise can induce labor. However, before doing any exercises, it’s important to discuss options with your healthcare provider(s). They can help you find healthy ways to promote the onset of labor. 

What Exercises Induce Labor?

There are several exercises and poses that can help induce labor. Some options include sitting on a birthing ball with legs wide, pelvic tilts, butterfly pose, and walking. Before exercising, consult with your healthcare provider(s) to ensure you are being safe. 

Does Sex Induce Labor?

Yes, intercourse can induce labor if you are full or past-term. Genital stimulation, nipple stimulation, and orgasm can increase oxytocin levels which is a hormone produced by your body to trigger labor contractions when you’re ready to deliver. 

Can Orgasm Help Induce Labor?

Yes, orgasms can help induce labor once the baby is at full or past term. 

Does Nipple Stimulation Induce Labor?

Yes, nipple stimulation and genital stimulation can help induce labor. 

How Does Nipple Stimulation Work To Induce Labor?

Nipple stimulation can increase levels of oxytocin which is a hormone produced by your body to trigger labor contractions when you’re ready to deliver. 

How To Stimulate Nipples To Induce Labor

Nipple stimulation can release oxytocin, the hormone that drives labor contractions. Nipple sensitivity and pleasure derived from nipple stimulation vary from person to person. 

How Long Does Nipple Stimulation Take To Induce Labor?

There is no particular length of time nipples need to be stimulated in order to increase levels of oxytocin. It is down to the individual’s nipple sensitivity and desire for nipple stimulation. 

Does Acupuncture Induce Labor?

Acupuncture does not induce labor but it can promote the onset of labor. Induction is a medical term applied to pharmaceutical medications and medical techniques to induce labor. 

Is Acupuncture Safe To Induce Labor?

Acupuncture is a safe way to promote the onset of labor for most people. This natural method can be considered safer than medical induction. Speak to your healthcare provider to discuss your options and what is right for you. 

How Does Acupuncture Help Induce Labor?

Acupuncture after the 38th week uses certain acupuncture points to help bring the pregnancy to completion. Acupuncture helps promote the onset of labor by promoting the progression of normal bodily changes toward the end of the third trimester, including the dilation and effacement of the cervix. 

How Effective Is Acupuncture To Induce Labor?

Acupuncture is very effective in promoting the onset of labor. In our clinic, less than 5%  of over 100 patients treated in the past year have had to be medically induced. Those that were medically induced had shorter inductions and required minimally invasive induction techniques. 

When To Start Acupuncture To Induce Labor?

Acupuncture to help promote the onset of labor and bring pregnancy to completion starts during the 38th week of pregnancy. 

How Long Does It Take for Acupuncture To Induce Labor?

Acupuncture to help bring the pregnancy to completion starts in week 38 and can last anywhere from 1-12 treatments. The number of treatments depends on when you start. 

How Many Acupuncture Sessions Will I Need To Induce Labor?

Acupuncture and pregnancy progress differ from person to person. The number of treatments can vary, ranging from 1-12 sessions starting in week 38. 

What To Do After Acupuncture To Induce Labor

After receiving acupuncture, we provide you with recommended exercises and other lifestyle recommendations to help you promote the onset of labor.

What Herbs Help Induce Labor?

We only recommend Chinese herbs like red raspberry leaf tea and castor oil toward the end of pregnancy. Schedule an herbal consultation during your next appointment to learn more. 

Should I Take Herbs To Induce Labor?

Taking herbs to induce labor is a personal preference. At our clinic, we only recommend a few herbs during the later stages of pregnancy. 

Does Castor Oil Induce Labor?

Castor oil may promote labor by stimulating contractions in the uterus. Consult with your healthcare provider before taking castor oil. 

Is Castor Oil Safe To Induce Labor?

Castor oil is a stimulant to the bowels which can result in uterine contractions, nausea, diarrhea, and/or vomiting. 

How Much Castor Oil Should I Take To Induce Labor?

Castor oil can help stimulate contraction in the uterus but should not be taken for labor induction without first consulting a medical professional. 

Does Eating Dates Induce Labor?

No, eating dates have not been shown to induce labor. However, eating dates during pregnancy provides you with a good source of fiber, iron, and vitamin K.