According to “Health Experts”, there is no research-based evidence to support or endorse the claim that drinking certain beverages, eating certain foods, doing certain exercises or any applications that guarantees labor will begin or make labor easier especially during the last few months of pregnancy.
However, traditional uses of labor ease and inductions are based on inner-generational evidence, experimental, and first-hand practices from people of various cultures.
Mothers in their 37th + week of pregnancy are put into a panic mode when their care providers threaten to induce them if she does not go into labor by her 39th week! She begins to research the internet looking for natural methods of inducing labor to avoid a medical induction.
So let’s explore some of the labor preps which have been passed down from mother to mother, generations after generations, especially those from the Diaspora and Indigenous women of color that have helped to ease, shorten and initiate labor.
A picture of a Native American Woman and a picture of red raspberry teacup.
Red Raspberry Leaves - Our Native Americans Sisters taught us the benefits of the (Rubus Idaeus) Red Raspberry Leaf. It is said to relieve menstrual cramps, to tone the uterus and to prepare our wombs for pregnancy. Some women who testified drinking red raspberry leaf tea during labor had shorter labors. It should be noted that because of its toning effects on the uterus, it should not be consumed during the first trimester. After the first trimester, it is said to be safe to drink.
OKRA WATER
Our Jamaican mother’s pass down the advice to drink okra water during the last two weeks of pregnancy and also during labor. The claim is that it can help with vaginal delivery by creating a slippery environment to help the baby come out. Okra water is made by soaking 2 cups of okra pods into a quart size mason jar with water overnight.
CASTOR OIL
American Indigenous - Castor Oil is a common remedy that has been passed down from one generation to the next. Castor Oil is a laxative therefore aggregates the colon causing cramping. This cramping links itself=fluid to the uterus causing it to contract as well.
PINEAPPLE
Island Mama’s say that pineapples help to kick labor into gear and encourage the cervix to soften. Online message boards largely attribute this to the presence of the enzyme bromelain.
DATES
The Qur’an tells us that eating dates can help with the pains of pregnancy and birth. The story of Maryam is a reminder that dates help to ensure and healthy pregnancy and the outlook of a healthy labor and birth. Folate found in dates can help foetal spinal cord development, Magnesium can help sooth cramps and muscle spasms during pregnancy, vitamin k can promote blood clotting and good bone health and potassium can help regulate blood pressure. It is recommended to begin eating 3-4 medjool dates or 5-6 red dates per day at 36 or 37 weeks of pregnancy.
EGGPLANT
Some people have experienced going into labor within forty eight hours after eating Eggplant Parmesan. Some say it the eggplants while others say it in the sauce. There once was an Italian restaurant just outside of Atlanta whose claim to fame was their Labor Inducing Eggplant .Parmesan. Here is the link for their famous recipe: https://www.bountyparents.com.au/expert-advice/eggplant-recipe-induce-labour-baby/
BLACK AND BLUE COHOSH
Although Black and Blue Cohosh (a Native to North) has been used for generations to induce labor, there are some known contraindications for their use as a labor inducer. It is advised that you try other methods of self induction or discuss these herbs with your Midwife or Care provider.
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL
This plant can be found in both North and South America. It is employed by many mamas to soften their cervixes before labor begins to dilate. The cervix must be soft to begin dilating. Taking a capsule once a day orally and inserting a capsule or two vaginally is practiced by many successfully. Therefore it is not a labor Inducer, as much as it is a cervix softener; which is needed to get labor going.
ACUPRESSURE/ACUPUNCTURE - In addition to these cultural methods of labor inducing, there are also other means for trying to get labor started. Accupressure and Accupuncture which are Traditional Chinese modalities have proven effective in getting labor started. Being trained in this practice is is required and take practice.
ENEMAS - are another way of getting labor started. Back in the ‘50’s and ‘60’s this was a typical practice in hospitals.
NIPPLE STIMULATION - Either by mouth or breast pump. This is only done if the mama is within the last two weeks of pregnancy and not before. For one hour, stimulating every fifteen minutes (or more), rest for a few minutes and repeat until contractions have a pattern. You may do this for an
SEX - The prostaglandin hormone in semen helped to soften the cervix which is needed in order for the cervix to begin ripening, thinning and dilating.
WALKING & HIKING
This is a great form of exercise providing you are NOT on bed rest recommendations by your care provider. Walking and. Hiking may help your baby to drop into a favorable position. Gravity is what you want working on your side.
Disclaimer: These statements made regarding these herbal products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These suggestions are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this label or in this information.
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