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By Livia Gamble
You’ve nested, read all the books and the nursery is ready to go – only your baby has other ideas and isn’t quite ready to join you.
At this stage, many mums-to-be are willing to try just about anything to induce labour naturally.
Here’s six ways to try, plus we asked a midwife for her top tips.
(It’s important not to try to induce labour before your due date, and always speak to your doctor or midwife before trying labour inducing tips.)
In the US, Caioti Pizza Cafe has made a name for itself thanks to the “maternity salad”. According to their Instagram page, the salad has helped dozens of babies into the world. Actress Hilary Duff even gave it a shot when she was pregnant. Apparently it’s all in the dressing, which includes balsamic vinaigrette, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, vinegar and a mix of top-secret spices.
Speaking to LA Weekly, restaurant owner Carrie LaDou said they looked into why the salad could be helping to induce labour – and the answer makes sense.
“When we asked my doctor what the deal was [with the dressing], why does it work for so many people, he said it’s the enzymes in the balsamic. It’s the chemistry that can cause muscle contractions, so that’s a possible thing.”
A little closer to home, Turia Pitt said she went into labour right after eating this eggplant parmigiana recipe by Scalini’s Italian restaurant. The website has a page dedicated to the bubs born after eating the dish.
“Two or three years after we began, a few people had just mentioned to us they came in when they were pregnant, and ate this eggplant and had a baby a short time after that,” said restaurant owner John Bogino.
While Tylah hasn’t heard of the above, she says they “tell women [to eat] raw pineapple because it has an enzyme in it that softens the cervix.”
The enzyme Tylah is talking about is called bromelain. However, there isn’t any evidence to suggest how much to eat or if it really works. But there’s probably no harm in eating some delicious pineapple, and seeing what happens.
An interesting labour-inducing theory that doesn’t involve food – Tylah says to “walk on the curbside”.
“So if you have one foot on the curb and one on the main road, and you’re sort of [walking lopsided], that’s gonna push the head against the cervix and mechanically help things, hopefully,” she explains.
We’ve all heard of this because it works. Tylah says, “You want to be having a baby in the same environment baby was conceived in. They’re the same hormones.”
Tylah’s talking about the love hormone – oxytocin. Having sex increases oxytocin levels, which is the same hormone that helps with contractions during labour – so bring it on.
Tylah also says “expressing breast milk and nipple stimulation is another fun thing to try.”
Unfortunately, trying to control your labour birth experience could have the opposite effect.
“The biggest thing is to surrender,” says Tylah. “I can’t stress this enough, and it’s my favourite word.”
“It’s common that women will come in [to give birth] the day after they’re on maternity leave. They’re like, ‘I thought I would have two more weeks’ – that’s because they’ve let go; they’ve just relaxed, and baby’s gone, ‘Right it’s a safe time for me to come.’
“So making sure you’re relaxed and your environment’s cosy and safe and try not to be too anxious about it.”
For any mums and mums-to-be who missed our Facebook live with Tylah, you can watch it below.
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