Natural Ways To Induce Labour: What Works, What Doesn't, What's Dangerous

Being past your due date is miserable, and the internet is full of methods for doing something about it. Most don’t work. Some are dangerous, and they’re among the most commonly recommended.

The methods that don’t work

• Pineapple. The enzyme cited is destroyed by digestion and doesn’t reach the uterus. You’d need an unmanageable quantity for a theoretical effect that has never been demonstrated.
• Spicy food and curry. No evidence. It may give you heartburn, which you already have.
• Bumpy car rides. No.
• Long walks and exercise. Good for you, and not shown to start labour. Women who are about to go into labour often feel energetic and go for a walk, which is where the belief comes from. The walk didn’t cause it.
• Evening primrose oil. Widely recommended, poor evidence, and some studies have raised concerns about longer labour and more complications.
• Raspberry leaf tea. Commonly taken in late pregnancy; the evidence that it shortens or eases labour is weak. It shouldn’t be taken earlier in pregnancy, and ask your obstetrician before starting it at all.
• Acupuncture and acupressure. Limited and inconsistent evidence. Not harmful in trained hands.

The two with some basis

• Nipple stimulation. There’s some evidence it can trigger contractions, because it releases oxytocin. That’s also why it comes with a risk of over-stimulating the uterus, which can affect the baby’s heart rate. Only with your obstetrician’s guidance, not as a home experiment.
• Sex. Semen contains prostaglandins and orgasm produces contractions, so there’s a plausible mechanism, but the evidence that it reliably starts labour is thin. It isn’t harmful at term in an uncomplicated pregnancy. Not if your waters have broken, or if you’ve been advised against it.

What works

Beyond that: talk to your obstetrician about the timing of induction instead of trying to beat it. Induction is a discussion: why now, what the risk of waiting is, what method, what happens if it doesn’t work. Having that conversation will do more for you than a week of pineapple.

Why the last weeks matter

It helps to say this plainly, because “I’m done” at 37 weeks is a common and understandable feeling.

Full term is 39 to 40 weeks. Between 37 and 39 the baby is still laying down significant brain development, lung maturity is still improving, and feeding and temperature regulation get better. Babies born at 37 or 38 weeks are more likely to have feeding difficulties and jaundice than those born at 39.

A first baby arriving after the due date is entirely normal, and the date itself is an estimate, not an appointment.

Getting through the last weeks

• Stop counting, and consider declining repeated cervical checks that won’t change a decision. Dilation predicts almost nothing about timing.
• Make plans. Cancelling everything makes the wait longer, and you can always cancel later.
• Sleep. The urge to be productive is strong and misplaced.
• Deflect the questions. A group message saying you’ll tell everyone when there’s news heads off “still nothing?” from every relative daily.
• Ask about a sweep at around 40 weeks.
• Go in for reduced fetal movement, at any hour, always. Never wait, and never try to provoke movement first.

Frequently asked questions

Does castor oil induce labour?

Don’t use it. It causes violent diarrhoea and dehydration and painful contractions that frequently don’t establish into labour. It’s persistent folk advice and a bad idea.

Are herbal remedies safe for inducing labour?

No. Blue cohosh in particular has been linked to serious harm to newborns including heart and neurological injury. “Herbal” isn’t a safety category, and these preparations aren’t benign.

Does pineapple or spicy food work?

No. The enzyme in pineapple is destroyed by digestion and never reaches the uterus, and spicy food has no evidence behind it. Long walks are good for you but don’t start labour. Women about to go into labour often feel energetic and go walking, which is where the belief comes from.

What about sex or nipple stimulation?

Both have some plausible mechanism. Sex isn’t harmful at term in an uncomplicated pregnancy but the evidence is thin, and it should be avoided if your waters have broken. Nipple stimulation can trigger contractions but also risks over-stimulating the uterus, so it should only be done with your obstetrician’s guidance.

What works?

A membrane sweep, which is evidence-based, offered routinely from around 40 weeks, and reduces the likelihood of needing formal induction. It’s the only method here with a clinician attached, which is the material difference.

Why shouldn’t I try to start labour before 39 weeks?

Because the last weeks aren’t waiting time. Between 37 and 39 weeks significant brain development continues, lung maturity improves, and feeding and temperature regulation get better, and babies born at 37 or 38 weeks are more likely to have feeding difficulties and jaundice.

What to remember

Castor oil and cohosh are dangerous, not folksy. Pineapple, curry, bumpy roads and evening primrose oil do nothing.

The one method with real evidence is a membrane sweep, from a clinician, at around 40 weeks.

Nothing before 39 weeks. Those last two weeks are doing real work.

And go in immediately for reduced movement, whatever else is happening.

Read next

• Being induced: what it’s like
• “You’re 2cm dilated”, what it means
• Labour: the stages and the pain relief

This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice. Don’t attempt to start labour without discussing it with your obstetrician.