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Getting the Baby to Come Out: Our Verdict on Myths and Tips

getting the baby out
PregnancyPost Category - PregnancyPregnancy - Post Category - Giving BirthGiving Birth

We’ve heard it all when it comes to coaxing your little one out… which ones are myths and which ones are tips?

It’s way past your due date and you’re still sitting at home waiting for the little one to just come out already! Your doctor is telling you to sit tight but you just want to get it over and done with. Is there really nothing you can do? We’ve found you all the top tips and myths on natural ways to get the baby to come out.

Acupressure and Acupuncture

We’re big fans of Chinese medicine, because its all natural and it has stuck around for a reason. Acupuncture and acupressure can help with cervical dilation and getting the baby into the right position. Of course, Chinese medicine doctors will probably tell you to let nature take its course but if you really can’t bear with it anymore, this is probably your best bet.

Verdict: Tip

Bumpy Car Rides

Bumpy car rides (or in the times before cars, horse rides) are rumoured to induce labour. The bumps and jolts are supposed to bolt the baby out of the womb, but we know that the uterus, its surrounding muscles and the amniotic sac are super sturdy.

Verdict: Myth

Castor oil - birthing myths and tips

Castor Oil

Now, it has been proven that castor oil induces diarrhoea, but not so much labour. The violent bowel movements are supposed to have a effect on the nearby uterus, but if you ask me, I’d rather not.

Verdict: Myth

Long walks

Long walks

Long walks will not only take your mind off the giant bulge, it will take you out of the house and relax you. The reason why some people recommend taking walks is that it will dehydrate you and that might induce some contractions. The effects are minimal but if you do decide to take a long walk, make sure you’re close enough to a cab or a hospital!

Verdict: Myth

Nipple stimulation

This might sound fun to begin with but all nipple stimulation does is release oxytocin – and not that much of it. You’d have to be going at it for a long long time before enough oxytocin is released! This might be a favourite in folklore, but mamas, you should probably give this method a miss.

Verdict: Myth

Pineapple - birthing myths and tips

Pineapple

The key to eating pineapples to get the baby out is freshness – tinned pineapples won’t work! The theory is the bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, mangoes and kiwis, softens the cervix. There’s not been any proof of pineapple actually causing contractions but you know what, pineapples are yummy.

Verdict: Pineapples are yummy

Raspberry tea

Raspberry leaf tea

Raspberry leaf tea is supposed to help with shrinking the uterus after birth and help with recovery, but it does not help with “contractions”. And it also doesn’t taste like raspberries!

Verdict: Myth

Sex

It’s how you got your baby in the first place – maybe a little bit of sex is all you need to get it out. Sex not only stimulates your cervix, it also causes the release of oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”) which can induce labour. Semen also contains little chemicals called prostaglandin which also induces labour. Don’t worry about hurting the cherub, it’s well protected.

Verdict: Tip

Spicy chillies

Spicy foods

Spicy foods especially curries have long been thought to help get the little one out. It is supposed to stimulate your bowels and that’s supposed to agitate the uterus into letting the baby out. Sound a bit far fetched? We thought so, too. Eat spicy food because you like it – it’s not actually going to help.

Verdict: Myth

Remember that it’s actually quite common for pregnancies to be overdue and it’s definitely not a cause for panic! We mamas know it’s a pain, but if sometimes maybe the baby just isn’t ready to come out and it might be safer to just sit tight and wait.

Images sourced via Pinterest.

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