Are there ways to go into labor tonight? Safely?
The anticipation of meeting your little one is an exciting time, and when you reach the end of your pregnancy, you may be eager to kickstart the labor process.
While it’s important to remember that nature has its own timeline, there are some natural methods that may help encourage labor to begin.
In this article, we are going to rate common induction techniques and see which ones are ways to go into labor… tonight.
But – even though meeting your baby is extraordinarily exciting, let’s talk a bit deeper about what actually causes labor to start so that you can get a better idea of what is going to work for you and why even in the modern world, the last days of labor can so often remain a guessing game.
What Causes Labor To Start?
Although the body can be nudged into labor gently or firmly depending on the technique – it’s important to realize that even though the last weeks of pregnancy can be difficult, there are important changes taking place.
Labor is usually started when your baby, your uterus, your hormones, and your placenta—are all ready. In fact, it’s your baby’s lungs that send out a last hormone that begin the process of labor.
There is no induction technique I have ever seen that will affect your baby’s lung development other than waiting and giving them time.
But, there are things you can do to influence your hormones, make sure you are ready emotionally and physically, and even help the labor process to begin. So that when your baby starts sending this little hormonal signal, all things are ready to go.
Really Cool Changes Happening Before Labor
Have you ever thought about what is happening inside your body as you’re getting ready for the labor process to begin? It may seem subtle, but there is a true dance of chemical and biological processes at play. Check these out!
What Is Happening In Mom’s Body As Labor Approaches?
Check out these really cool changes that are happening the final days before labor kicks off:
- Your estrogen levels begin to rise. This helps your uterus be more efficient in labor.
- Your body creates more oxytocin and prostaglandins which help ripen your cervix. This is the part of your body that acts as a doorway that opens to make room for your baby. Throughout labor, your cervix goes from sturdy and closed to soft, subtle and open.
- Not only are you creating more oxytocin – but your uterus develops more oxytocin receptors which create more effective contractions during labor and after birth and helps you prevent excessive bleeding after birth.
- Your body creates more beta-endorphin receptors, allowing you to have more natural pain relief during labor. This is why the runner’s high has nothing on the birth high!
- You build oxytocin and prolactin receptors in the brain to allow for breastfeeding and bonding with your baby.
Those are some pretty significant changes! Many of which will take place in the early labor process, but some shift gradually over time. Learn more about the hormonal processes and how to cope with labor in our birth course! We promise you’ll feel more equipped for the journey ahead!
What Is Happening In Baby’s Final Development As Labor Approaches?
What changes happen in baby’s development along with the onset of labor?
- Baby’s lungs and organs are making quick changes to be ready for the outside world.
- Baby has a rise in catecholamine receptors before labor to ensure baby has enough oxygen during the labor process
- Plus a surge of catecholamines during labor to ensure baby has enough blood supply to heart and brain
- Catecholamines in labor also help baby after birth with breathing, energy and glucose production, and regulating body temperature
When labor begins naturally at full term, both the maternal and fetal systems are fully prepared and perfectly synchronized to facilitate a safe and efficient labor and delivery process. This natural onset of labor also sets the stage for seamless postpartum transitions, such as the initiation of breastfeeding and the formation of strong maternal-newborn bonds.
If you’re not 41 weeks pregnant yet, please consider the potential wisdom in respecting your body’s natural rhythms and letting things unfold in their own design. But, if you have spoken with your doctor or midwife, and are simply ready for labor to begin, let’s explore the ways to nudge your body into labor!
Which Inductions Techniques Are Ways To Go Into Labor Tonight?
Expressing Colostrum
Likeliness To Put You Into Labor Tonight: 😍
Expressing Colostrum is one of my favorite to dos for the last weeks of pregnancy. Did you know you started producing this special milk for your baby wayyyy back at 16 weeks of pregnancy? That’s one of the reasons those early pregnancy days are often accompanied by sore breasts. It’s safe to start expressing and collecting this milk at 37 or 38 weeks. And you know what? This simple act can help prep your body for labor as well
Did you know that your nipples have an interesting role in kickstarting labor? They’re equipped with receptors that signal your brain to release oxytocin, a vital hormone for labor initiation. Oxytocin works its magic by causing the uterus to contract and helping the cervix to prepare for childbirth. When your body is flooded with oxytocin, it’s a sign that labor is ready to begin and progress.
Research has shown that mothers who regularly perform breast massages, which is part of expressing colostrum, experience higher oxytocin levels in their bodies after several days of massage. But the benefits don’t stop there.
In one study, mothers who diligently performed daily breast massages for a week saw significant changes in their Bishop score, indicating that their bodies were well-prepared for labor. It’s no surprise that these moms had a lower rate of C-sections compared to those who didn’t practice breast massages.
Furthermore, even if a mom needed to be induced, those who had been doing daily breast massages were more likely to have a successful induction and a vaginal birth compared to the group that didn’t. So, consider breast massages, or exprssing colostrum, a valuable tool on your journey to childbirth
Eating Dates To Induce Labor
Likeliness To Put You Into Labor Tonight: 😍
Dates can be a total game-changer when you’re gearing up for labor. These little sweet powerhouses are packed with good stuff like fiber, potassium, and magnesium, which are like your pregnancy allies. Magnesium is like the superhero of muscles, helping to keep those contractions in check, potentially helping to prevent uterine hyperstimulation during labor.
But here’s the cool part: if you chow down on dates regularly before labor, you’re less likely to need to be induced, and your water is less likely to break early. Plus, when you finally get to the hospital, you might be more dilated than those who skipped the date party. These are all signs that your labor is on the right track!
And here’s the icing on the cake: munching on dates has been linked to fewer C-sections and less need for other interventions during labor. So, why not add dates to your pregnancy snack list? They’re not just yummy; they’re like your labor-day sidekicks! 🎉👶
But…. will dates put you into labor tonight? Probably not. Let’s keep exploring to find out ways to nudge the body into labor a bit more firmly.
Walking To Induce Labor
Likeliness To Put You Into Labor Tonight: 😍😍
Walking often shows up on lists of things to do to put yourself into labor. Is it an official induction technique? Nope. For most moms, a walk, whether a mile or ten is not going to make those contractions appear out of thin air. On the other hand, a 40 minute walk 4 times a week the last weeks of pregnancy has shown some pretty remarkable results.
Taking regular strolls during the later stages of pregnancy can almost double your Bishop Score – a number that indicates how ready your body is for labor. While it won’t start labor on it’s own, it will increase your odds of natural labor starting without the need for a formal induction. It can reduce your likelihood of both C-sections and complex forceps deliveries. And the icing on the cake? Your baby’s Apgar score shines bright! Walking helps them prepare for birth as well! 🎉👶📈
So again, while a regular walk won’t put you into labor tonight, it might just help you go into labor sooner rather than later. And if you really want to take it to the next level, you can up the game by adding in some curb walking as well.
Nipple Stimulation
Likeliness To Put You Into Labor Tonight: 😍😍😍
Remember when I said expressing colostrum can help your body prep for labor? What happens if you just do MORE of that? Is nipple stimulation one guaranteed way to go into labor tonight? Well, the answer is a resounding maybe. Nipple stimulation has been recognized as a potential method to help induce or augment labor to bring contractions closer together.
In one study, when moms added an hour of nipple stimulation a day, for 3 days in a row 38% went into labor compared to only 6.4% who didn’t do the intervention.
However, it’s important to note that for most moms it took the full 3 days to see labor start. So will nipple stimulation help you go into labor tonight? Probably not. But, could it help you go into labor sooner than you might otherwise? Absolutely.
Membrane Sweep
Likeliness To Put You Into Labor Tonight: 😍😍😍😍
The membrane sweep. Is it a secret weapon or a false promise? Well that probably depends on when it’s done. Watch out when these are recommended as a routine intervention before 40 weeks of pregnancy. After that? Well, this procedure may be a go.
A membrane sweep is a quick and simple procedure, typically taking less than a minute, performed by your OB or Midwife. It begins with a routine cervical examination, where you’ll lie on your back while your healthcare provider puts on gloves.
They’ll then gently insert one or two fingers into your vagina and through your cervix. Inside, they’ll locate the amniotic sac, which envelops your baby within the uterus. Using a gentle circular motion, they’ll carefully separate the amniotic sac from the uterine wall, all with the goal of encouraging your body to produce prostaglandins and kickstart the natural process of labor, without resorting to medication. In the best-case scenario, this procedure can lead to labor starting within 24 to 48 hours.
How likely is a membrane sweep to start labor tonight?
One study also looked at how many membrane sweeps were needed. This study found that at 40 weeks of pregnancy, 86% of mothers only needed one or two sweeps to start labor, but 13% of women needed three or more to start labor.
Castor Oil
Likeliness To Put You Into Labor Tonight: 😍😍😍😍
The goal with taking castor oil is to be in labor and having steady contractions, within 24 hours. So if you’re looking for an at home induction method, this could be for you. However, we always recommend speaking with a licensed midwife who uses this method in her practice BEFORE going forward with this method.
Castor oil is a natural remedy often considered for inducing labor. It’s a thick, yellowish oil derived from the seeds of the castor bean plant. When used to stimulate labor, it’s typically taken orally, usually mixed with a more palatable substance like juice or a milkshake due to its strong taste and texture. Castor oil is believed to work by causing intestinal irritation, which then stimulates the uterus. This irritation can lead to bowel contractions, which, in turn, may trigger uterine contractions and labor.
This was the chosen induction method used by the mom of the very first birth I attended as a doula. Read her story and more details of this method in our complete guide.
Medical Induction
Likeliness To Put You Into Labor Tonight: 😍😍😍😍😍
A medical induction in a hospital is a procedure initiated by healthcare professionals to start labor when it doesn’t begin naturally or for specific medical reasons. It involves evaluating your health and the pregnancy’s status, preparing the cervix if necessary, potentially rupturing the amniotic sac, administering synthetic oxytocin to induce contractions, and closely monitoring both your and your baby’s well-being. Pain management options are available, and your progress is continually assessed. The procedure is carefully managed with the aim of ensuring a safe and healthy labor when natural onset is delayed or not feasible, with the possibility of alternative interventions if needed.
However, not all medical inductions are quick. Even at the hospital with the best care and the most advanced medicine, and techniques, it may take anywhere from a few hours to 2 or 3 days for labor to begin.
Ways To Go Into Labor Tonight TL/DR
In wrapping up our exploration of ways to jumpstart labor tonight, let’s remember that pregnancy is a unique journey for every mom-to-be. What might do the trick for one might not work for another, and that’s perfectly okay! Your baby has their own timeline, after all. While activities like strolls or some natural remedies can nudge labor along, it’s always wise to chat with your healthcare provider before trying any induction methods.
Keep in mind that the best way to get labor started often aligns with your body’s readiness. So, as you weigh your options, prioritize safety and lean on the wisdom of your medical team. The road to welcoming your little one is a remarkable adventure, and ensuring a healthy and secure delivery is what truly matters. Trust the process, trust your body, and get ready for the beautiful journey of motherhood! 🌟👶🤰
