Natural Ways to Induce Labour: A Midwife’s Guide
Guest article by midwife Beth from The Bump to Baby Chapter
Carrying a baby for nine months is magical, but it can also be tough. Once your due date arrives, you’re often desperate to meet the little one you’ve been growing. Babies don’t always follow a calendar, though, and 40 weeks can come and go without a single twinge.
Only around 1 in 20 babies arrive on their due date, and anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks is considered full term. If you’re keen to give things a gentle nudge, here are some natural approaches many women find helpful.
Before you try anything: these ideas are for full-term pregnancies (37 weeks+) without complications. Always check with your midwife first, especially if you’ve had a previous caesarean or uterine surgery, or if your pregnancy is considered higher risk.
1. Clary sage essential oil
Clary sage has long been used to encourage labour. It’s considered a uterine tonic, which means it may help stimulate the uterus to contract.
How to use it:
- Massage: mix a few drops into a carrier oil and rub gently onto your bump. Never apply it neat.
- Inhale: add a couple of drops to a tissue or piece of fabric.
- In the bath: stir a few drops into a little milk before adding it to the water. The milk helps the oil disperse so it doesn’t sit on the surface.
Important: don’t use clary sage before 37 weeks, if you’re planning a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean), or if you’ve had previous uterine surgery.
2. Bouncing on a birth ball
A birth ball is a great tool in late pregnancy. Gentle bouncing or circling your hips can help your baby settle into a good position in the pelvis. It may also put light pressure on your cervix, which can encourage contractions. It’s also more comfortable than a sofa for many women in the final weeks.
3. Stair and kerb walking
Your baby’s head is a bit like a jigsaw piece that needs to slot neatly into your pelvis. Walking up stairs, or walking with one foot on the kerb and one on the road, helps open the pelvis. This gives your baby a little extra room to wriggle into the right position. Hold a handrail and take someone with you, because your balance changes a lot in late pregnancy.
4. Rest and positioning
When you’re resting or sleeping, how you lie matters. Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees helps keep your hips aligned and open, which gives your baby room to settle into a good position.
The BellaMoon 3-in-1 Pillow is designed for exactly this. It supports your bump, back and hips while you sleep, and many mums find it a comfort during the early (latent) phase of labour too. It then converts into a nursing pillow, so you’ll keep using it until your baby is over a year old.
5. A warm bath and relaxation
Feeling relaxed tells your body it’s safe for your baby to arrive. Back when we lived in caves, we wouldn’t want to go into labour while running from a sabre-toothed tiger. The tigers are gone, but our bodies haven’t forgotten: stress and anxiety can still hold labour back.
Anything that helps you feel calm can help:
- a warm (not hot) bath
- a massage from your partner
- your hypnobirthing relaxations
- a cosy nap, snuggled up with your pillow
6. Hypnobirthing
For all the reasons above, hypnobirthing can be a useful tool as your due date approaches. A key aim of hypnobirthing is helping you feel calm and confident about birth, and even excited.
A course such as The Bump to Baby Chapter covers natural ways to encourage labour. It also covers medical induction: what happens, and techniques to help you cope with an induction and labour.
7. Reflexology
There’s no strong scientific evidence for reflexology, but many women find it relaxing in late pregnancy. It involves applying pressure to points on the feet that are believed to connect to other parts of the body. Look for a qualified reflexologist with experience treating pregnant clients.
When to call your midwife or maternity unit
Natural methods should never replace medical care. Contact your midwife or maternity unit straight away if you notice any of these:
- your baby’s movements slow down, change or stop
- your waters break, especially if the fluid is green, brown or smells unusual
- you have any vaginal bleeding
- you have a severe headache, problems with your vision, or sudden swelling
- you have constant or severe tummy pain
If you go past 40 weeks, your midwife will talk you through options such as a membrane sweep and when a medical induction might be offered.
Give yourself some credit
Most importantly, don’t lose sight of what you’ve already done: you’ve grown a whole baby. While you wait, give yourself a huge amount of credit for that.
FAQs about natural labour induction
When is it safe to try natural ways to induce labour?
Only once you’re full term (37 weeks or more), and ideally after chatting to your midwife. Some methods, like clary sage, aren’t suitable if you’ve had a previous caesarean.
Can a pillow help induce labour?
A pillow won’t start labour on its own. Lying on your side with a pillow between your knees does keep your hips aligned and open, and it helps you rest. Rest and relaxation both matter as you wait for labour to begin.
How long do natural methods take to work?
Every body is different. Some women notice changes within hours, others not for days, and for some, nothing happens until their body is ready. Staying relaxed and patient is key.
What happens if natural methods don’t work?
Your midwife will discuss options with you, which may include a membrane sweep or a medical induction. A hypnobirthing course can help you feel prepared for either.
Looking for comfort in those final weeks and beyond? The BellaMoon 3-in-1 Pillow supports you through pregnancy, labour and feeding, until your baby is over a year old.
