As your due date approaches (or passes), it’s totally normal to wonder how to induce labor naturally, especially if you’re feeling uncomfortable, impatient, or just excited to finally meet your baby.
Many mamas want to avoid medical induction if possible and are curious about natural ways to encourage labor from home. In this post, we’ll explore safe, natural methods to induce labor, along with important mindset shifts that support both your body and your trust in the birth process.
Due Dates & Trusting God’s Timing
A “due date” is really just a best estimate of when your baby will arrive, not a deadline. It can be helpful to reframe your due date as a “guess date” because labor beginning anywhere between 38-42 weeks is completely normal.
Before trying to induce labor naturally, it’s worth pausing to pray and reflect. Some natural induction methods are gentle and supportive, and others are more intense. Discernment matters a lot, especially when it comes to maintaining trust in your body and God’s timing.
However, if you truly feel it’s time to encourage labor naturally, here are some options.
1. Walk & Create Asymmetrical Pelvic Movement
One of the simplest ways to induce labor naturally is intentional movement.
Why it works:
Asymmetrical pelvic movement helps baby rotate, descend, and place pressure on the cervix which are all key components for labor to begin.
Helpful movements include:
- Walking (especially curb walking)
- Side-to-side pelvic rocking
- Hip circles on a birth ball (not just bouncing)
These movements help baby settle into an optimal position for labor.
2. The Miles Circuit (Spinning Babies Technique)
The Miles Circuit is a popular Spinning Babies technique that can help encourage labor naturally.
It includes:
- Forward-leaning inversion
- Open knee-chest position
- Active movement like walking or pelvic circles
This sequence helps baby disengage from a less than ideal position and re-engage more effectively, which can help labor begin. Click here to see a video!
3. Intimacy With Your Spouse
Intimacy is a powerful and natural way to encourage labor.
Here’s why:
- It increases oxytocin, the hormone needed for labor
- Seminal fluid contains prostaglandins, which help ripen the cervix
- Female orgasm can also stimulate uterine contractions
When it feels comfortable and safe, intimacy can gently support labor initiation.
4. Nipple Stimulation
Similar to intimacy with your spouse, nipple stimulation can also help induce labor naturally by increasing oxytocin levels.
Ways to try it:
- Using an electric breast pump
- Hand expression of colostrum
- Manual stimulation
This method is often most effective when your body is already close to labor.
5. Chiropractic Care, Acupressure & Acupuncture
While not fully at home, these holistic options can strongly support natural labor induction.
- Chiropractic care helps align the pelvis for baby’s descent
- Acupressure can be done at home to relax the nervous system
- Acupuncture has research supporting its role in cervical ripening
Even when labor doesn’t begin immediately, these methods often make labor smoother and more efficient.
6. Foods & Supplements That Support Labor Readiness
These options don’t directly induce labor but can help prepare your body:
- Dates (strong evidence for cervical ripening)
- Pineapple (contains bromelain which can help soften the cervix)
- Evening primrose oil (mixed research on this one, so use discernment!)
- Red raspberry leaf tea (strengthens the uterus and can help contractions be more efficient)
Think of all of these as supportive preparation tools.
7. Castor Oil (Proceed With Caution)
Castor oil is often mentioned when discussing how to induce labor naturally, but it does come with some risks that are worth considering.
Why it works:
It strongly stimulates the GI system, increasing prostaglandins that may also stimulate uterine contractions.
Potential downsides:
- Severe diarrhea and dehydration
- Contractions that don’t progress into labor
- Physical exhaustion before labor truly begins
This method should only be considered with great caution.
8. Rest, Relaxation & Nervous System Safety
Finally, of the most overlooked ways to induce labor naturally is deep rest and relaxation.
Labor hormones are released when the nervous system feels safe. Stress, anxiety, or obsessing over when labor will start can actually delay it.
Helpful practices include:
- Warm baths
- Deep breathing
- Prayer and surrender
- Rest, naps, and quiet time
Sometimes, letting go is actually what allows labor to begin.
Prepare for Labor With Confidence (Not Fear)
If you’re researching how to induce labor naturally, it’s often because you’re ready (physically and emotionally) for birth.
Birth prep goes far beyond induction methods. Knowing how labor works, how to cope with contractions, and how to stay calm and confident can make all the difference.
The Holy Confident Birth Course was created to help you prepare for a natural birth rooted in faith, knowledge, and peace. Inside the course, you’ll learn how to work with your body, manage labor sensations confidently, and approach birth with trust instead of fear.
Learn more about the Holy Confident Birth Course here:
https://holyconfidentbirth.com/course
