As you get closer to your due date, there's a good chance you've started hearing all sorts of advice about how to get labor going. Maybe you're feeling great and just excited to meet your baby, or maybe you're uncomfortable, not sleeping well, and ready to be done being pregnant.
Either way, you've probably heard at least a few of the classic old wives' tales.
Eat pineapple. Go curb walking. Bounce on a birth ball. Order something spicy.
And let's be honest, by those final few weeks, you're probably willing to try at least a couple of them!
We hear these conversations all the time in the office. From what worked for a friend to something your mom swears by, there are plenty of interesting suggestions out there.
So we thought it would be fun to round up some of the most popular old wives' tales that have been passed down for generations!
1. Eating Pineapple 🍍
The tale: Eating pineapple is supposed to help soften your cervix and encourage labor.
This might be one of the easiest tricks on the list. Some moms swear by eating fresh pineapple during those final weeks, hoping it'll help get things moving.
Our take: If you love pineapple, why not? Just don't expect one bowl to send you straight to the hospital!
2. Eating Dates
The tale: Eating dates during the final weeks of pregnancy is supposed to help prepare your cervix for labor.
You've probably heard about eating six dates a day starting around 36 weeks. This has become a popular addition to many moms' birth prep routines.
If you're not a huge fan of dates, try stuffing them with peanut butter or adding them to a smoothie.
Our take: An easy snack to add to your routine if your maternity provider is on board. And if dates aren't your thing, that's okay too!
3. Curb Walking
The tale: Walking with one foot on the curb and the other on the road is supposed to help baby move farther down into your pelvis.
If you've spent any time on pregnancy TikTok, you've probably seen this one!
The idea is that the uneven movement helps create different movements through your hips and pelvis.
We love encouraging our pregnant patients to stay active and keep their pelvis moving comfortably, especially during those final weeks.
This is also one of the reasons we emphasize prenatal chiropractic care. As your body changes throughout pregnancy, we focus on addressing joint restrictions and muscle tension that may affect your comfort and mobility.
Our take: If curb walking feels good, give it a try! Just be prepared for a few confused looks from your neighbors.
4. Spicy Food 🌶️
The tale: Eating spicy food is supposed to stimulate your digestive system and get contractions started.
Some moms swear by spicy tacos, hot wings, or ordering the hottest thing on the menu.
Whether it's actually going to get labor going is another story!
Our take: If you love spicy food, this sounds like a great excuse for dinner out. Just be prepared for a little heartburn!
5. Bouncing on a Birth Ball
The tale: Bouncing on a birth ball is supposed to encourage baby to move down and help get labor started.
This is one of our favorites!
Birth balls are a great way to keep your pelvis moving, especially when sitting on the couch starts feeling uncomfortable.
Try gentle bouncing, hip circles, figure eights, or rocking your pelvis back and forth.
We often recommend these movements alongside your regular chiropractic adjustments to help you stay comfortable and mobile as you prepare for birth.
Our take: Even if it doesn't start labor, we're big fans of incorporating a birth ball into your final weeks of pregnancy!
6. A Little Romance
The tale: Spending some intimate time with your partner might help encourage labor.
This is another suggestion that's been passed around for generations!
The idea is that natural hormones released during intimacy may help encourage uterine contractions and cervical changes.
Of course, this isn't a guaranteed way to start labor, but it's certainly one of the more interesting suggestions on the list.
Our take: If you're comfortable and your maternity provider hasn't advised against intimacy, enjoy some quality time together before your newest family member arrives!
7. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
The tale: Drinking red raspberry leaf tea is supposed to help prepare your uterus for labor.
This has been a popular pregnancy tradition for generations, especially among moms planning an unmedicated birth.
Some moms start incorporating it into their routines during the third trimester.
Our take: If your midwife or OB is on board, it might be a nice addition to your evening routine. Just don't expect one cup of tea to start contractions!
8. Nipple Stimulation
The tale: Nipple stimulation encourages your body to release oxytocin, the hormone involved in uterine contractions.
This is another one that's been passed around for years.
Unlike some of the other tricks, nipple stimulation can actually trigger contractions, so it's one to discuss with your maternity provider before trying.
Our take: There's a reason this one comes up in conversations about labor, but it's best to get guidance from your maternity provider first.
9. The Famous Labor-Inducing Meal
The tale: There's a specific restaurant meal out there that will send you straight into labor.
Every town seems to have one!
Maybe it's eggplant parmesan, a certain salad dressing, or a ridiculously spicy pizza.
And there's always someone who knows someone who ate it and went into labor that night.
Our take: We fully support one more dinner date before baby arrives. Whether or not it starts labor, it's probably a pretty good way to spend an evening!
10. Castor Oil
The tale: Castor oil is supposed to stimulate your digestive system and encourage contractions.
This is definitely one of the older traditions on the list.
And let's just say, castor oil has a reputation for getting things moving in more ways than one!
Our take: Between the nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps it can cause, we'd leave this one off the at-home list unless your maternity provider specifically recommends it.
Don't Forget About Your Chiropractic Care!
As you approach your due date, your body is continuing to make some pretty incredible changes.
Your pelvis, spine, and surrounding muscles have been adapting throughout your entire pregnancy, and those final weeks can bring their own set of challenges.
That's why we love continuing your regular chiropractic adjustments right up until delivery!
Through the Webster Technique, we focus on evaluating and addressing joint restrictions and muscle tension around the pelvis to help support your comfort and mobility.
While chiropractic care isn't intended to induce labor, it can be a valuable part of your overall birth preparation routine.
Along with your adjustments, we encourage you to keep up with gentle movement, stretching, and the birth prep exercises we've talked about in previous weeks.
Our goal is to help you feel as comfortable and supported as possible as you head into labor.
And if you're feeling extra uncomfortable or noticing new aches and pains during these final weeks, make sure to mention them at your next adjustment so we can help you find ways to stay comfortable.
The Final Countdown!
We know those last few weeks can feel long.
You're excited to meet your baby, your hospital bag is probably packed, and every little cramp has you wondering if this might finally be it.
And while there's no guaranteed trick to starting labor, sometimes it's fun to try a few of the things everyone talks about.
Eat the pineapple. Go for a walk. Enjoy a dinner date. Spend some time on your birth ball.
Most importantly, keep taking care of yourself!
Stay consistent with your prenatal adjustments, get plenty of rest, and enjoy these final moments before meeting your baby.
And of course, we can't wait to hear all about your birth story and meet your newest little family member!
A Quick Disclaimer
This blog is meant to be a fun look at some of the old wives' tales surrounding labor, not medical advice or a recommendation to induce labor at home. Every pregnancy is different, so always check with your OB or midwife before trying methods intended to start labor, especially before 39 weeks or if you have pregnancy complications.
And remember, just because something worked for your friend's sister's neighbor doesn't mean it'll work for you!