Cervical Ripening

*These are solely recommendations based on evidence based studies and practices. This is not medical advice. Please do your own research and decide what is best for you.*

There is a lot of conflicting information out there regarding natural cervical ripening and other spontaneous labor promoting techniques. Below, you’ll find my doula approved, tried and true methods to help tone your uterus and support your body for the marathon of labor and birth. While all of these recommendations can help to encourage spontaneous labor, they will not induce labor if your body and baby aren’t ready. They simply support the natural process and encourage healthy, strong contractions which promote a smoothly progressing labor.

One thing not on my list is a Midwives Brew (which contains castor oil) and the reason for that is because the research is too split for me to feel confident encouraging that for everyone. If you are researching options and solutions, please do so effectively and utilize the BRAIN (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition and what if we do Nothing) acronym to help you make your personal decisions! If you are comfortable with it, you can also ask your provider to perform a membrane sweep but again, I heavily advise you look into that before proceeding. What I have suggested below are very low risk and have proven, evidence supported positive results! My last doula tip is “You get the baby out the same way you got it in!” I know you know what I mean. Oxytocin (Guys, Pitocin is just SYNTHETIC oxytocin!) is THE labor hormone. Anything you can do to produce a lot of natural oxytocin will help you on your way. Have fun with it and BE SAFE!

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

Start with 1 cup and gradually work up to 3/day Start at 28+ weeks

Consume up to 6 dates daily

Add to smoothies, homemade snack bars, dates with peanut butter

Evening Primrose Oil

Start at 36+ weeks 1000 mg capsule inserted vaginally at night wear a pad/pantyliner to help with any leaking

Nipple Stimulation/ Pumping

10 minutes (2x a day) You can use electric pump, hand pump, or just manual nipple stimulation

Start at 38+ weeks

Additional Labor Promoting Bodywork; Best results when used throughout pregnancy

Webster Certified Chiropractic care

Acupuncture

Massage Therapy

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Sexual Intercourse

*Provider recommendations can be made based on your physical location