As we quickly approach my due date, I’m starting to kick-up my labor preparation a bit– because up until now I’ve done almost nothing! I’ve technically got about 4 weeks to go, but considering that my son arrived 3 weeks early, we are prepared for anything at this point. (Although I have to admit, I’m hoping this one takes his or her sweet time… I’m in no rush.)
Because I’m delivering this baby in a new city this time around, I’m working with a new doula and I thought I’d share the tips to prepare for labor that she shared with me at our most recent appointment. Many of these tips and supplements are ones I used during my last pregnancy (and I’d say they were effective!), but some of them are new to me, too.
Note: This post is not a substitute for medical advice nor is it a prescription. You should always consult with your own doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Around the 36 to 37 week mark, here’s what I add to my routine to help encourage a better labor and delivery experience. Other than eating dates, walking, and squatting, which should be safe at any time during an uneventful pregnancy, I wouldn’t start taking these extra supplements any earlier than 36 weeks just to make sure you don’t accidentally encourage preterm labor. (None of these supplements should be capable of inducing labor before you’re ready, but I prefer to stay on the safe side!)
- Dates. Research has shown that women who consume 6 dates per day for 4 weeks prior to their estimated due date are more likely to go into spontaneous labor, have a shorter first stage of labor, and have a higher cervical dilation upon admission to the hospital when compared to women who did not consume any dates. [source] These Date Energy Balls, Raw Brownie Bites, and Peanut Butter “Cookie” Larabars are all a great way to increase your date consumption!
- Red Raspberry Leaf Tea. Red raspberry leaf tea is thought to help balance hormones and tone the uterus, possibly because it’s high in vitamins A, B, C, and E, along with important minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium. According to this study, red raspberry leaf tea has been shown to shorten the duration of labor and may reduce the need for medical interventions, such as the need for c-sections, forceps, and vacuum births. I’ve heard anywhere from 3 to 4 cups of tea per day is recommended in the third trimester, and I’m currently using this brand to make brewed iced tea.
- Alfalfa. This is something that I did not take during my first pregnancy, but my doula and many midwives recommend it because it naturally contains high levels of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting– and therefore it might help to prevent postpartum hemorrhaging. If you’d prefer to skip a supplement, vitamin K can be found in dark leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens, and you can also brew alfalfa as a tea.
- Stevia. This recommendation was a shocker to me, as many of you know my negative experience with stevia in the past. According to my doula, she has seen women increase their amniotic fluid rather quickly by adding a drop of pure stevia to each glass of water they drink, and in some cases, they’ve been able to avoid induction due to low amniotic fluid using this method. I’ve only been able to find anecdotal evidence regarding this information, so I can’t say for certain that it’s proven, but I suppose it would be worth a shot if you’re worried about low fluid levels. It’s not currently a concern for my own pregnancy, so I’m not taking it, but I thought I’d pass along the tip. (Do be sure to look for pure stevia, as many brands have added ingredients that are not ideal.)
- Squats. Squats are one of the best exercises you can do to prepare for labor, as they can create more room for your baby to enter the birth canal. The American Pregnancy Association recommends squatting during labor because it can open your pelvic outlet by 10 percent! I did my fair share of squats using Physique 57 workouts during my last pregnancy, and my doula recommends aiming for 300 squats a day(!) if you want an easier birthing experience. One word of caution: If your baby is breech, you might want to avoid squatting as it could move them down into the birth canal in a non-ideal birthing position. Towards the end of your pregnancy, you might want to make sure that baby is head-down before committing to too many squats! (We used Rebozo Sifting during my last pregnancy to get baby out of the sunny-side-up position, and I love Spinning Babies for other non-invasive baby repositioning techniques.)
- Walking. Not only is walking a great low-impact workout for moms in general, but it’s also thought to help move your baby down into your cervix towards the end of pregnancy. Walking may also help to stimulate the release of oxytocin, the hormone that helps trigger and regulate contractions, so many moms nearing or past their due date might want to increase their walking to help naturally move labor along.
- Positive affirmations. There were times that I felt pretty silly listening to positive pregnancy affirmations during my first pregnancy (I used the ones from Hypnobabies while prepping dinner each night), but after my first laboring experience, I swear by them. At the time, I felt like they weren’t “doing anything” for me, but when labor actually arrived, I didn’t actually feel like I was in pain– I’d describe my contractions as uncomfortable, but not painful, and I think that’s in large part because of the mentality I had going into it. (Baby’s head crowning is another story, but at least that part is fairly brief!)
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What about Evening Primrose Oil? A common recommendation from midwives and doulas is to take Evening Primrose Oil either orally or vaginally starting around 37 weeks, as it’s thought to help ripen your cervix. I did sporadically use it orally during my last pregnancy, but upon doing further research, I found this study which showed that EPO taken orally does not help to shorten gestation or overall length of labor, and in some cases it actually increased the incidence of interventions. (In other words, even if it does ripen your cervix, there doesn’t seem to be an overall benefit from that.) Because I can’t find sufficient evidence that this supplement is safe or effective, I’m not including it in my list above, even though it does remain a very common recommendation in the natural health community.
Other than these extra supplements listed above, the only things I’ve added to my routine during this pregnancy have been:
- Prenatal vitamins. I mostly take these during the first trimester, then gradually fizzle out as my diet and appetite improve.
- Magnesium. I usually start taking this in the second trimester to prevent leg cramps and constipation, as well as to help regulate blood sugar.
- Vitamin C. Since immunity is compromised during pregnancy, I take this for a boost and hope it will help prevent a positive Group B Strep result this time around. (I was GBS+ last time!)
- Probiotics. I also take these in the hopes to avoid a positive Group B Strep result and promote good bacteria in my gut.
- Collagen Peptides. I started using this again as a smoothie supplement during my third trimester, in the hopes that it would promote skin elasticity as my baby continues to grow.
- Udo’s DHA Oil. DHA is crucial to developing brain, eye, and heart health in infants and children, so I like to up my intake using high-quality algae oil. (Fish get their DHA content by eating algae, too, so this is cutting out the middle man.)
I regretted not writing down everything I did during my last pregnancy, so I hope that this list will help anyone in a similar position that might want to help their bodies prepare for the big day. While we can’t naturally control how or when we’ll go into labor, it’s nice to feel like we’re doing something proactive in the process!
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Reader Feedback: Did you do anything special to prepare for labor? I’d love to hear more tips and tricks in the comments below!
I have a bit of a skepticosm for some of this advice. But it’s because I had been given opposite advice during my last pregnancy. My obgyn told me to not take vitamin k while pregnant because it is a blood thickener. And could lead to complications during delivery. it’s interesting you were told the opposite. Also, I’ve been avoiding teas lately because according to the Canada health website (I’m Canadian. So they are the health authority here) they caution mothers against teas (particularly chamomile) but others as well since they claim not enough research has been done to confirm any side effects or complications from them. They say there is not enough research around teas to give them the green light. What does a doula do? How do You get one? Are they covered by insurance?
Hello Karen,
A doula is a prenatal and labour/birth guide. They try to give you a lot of information to help you discover what your preferences are for your labour and birth. Depending on if your having a hospital birth or home birth they can also let you know about the policies and procedures at your particular place of birth, as every place has its own standards of care. A doula is there to help you emotionally and physically cope through your labour and also provide hands on support. They are not medical care providers but they do have a good amount of knowledge to help you during your pregnancy and labour. A doula also can support your partner during your labour, but doesn’t take over their role- also depends on what their comfort zone is 😉 If you want more information, I would imagine where you live probably has a doula association. Or you can check out DONA (North American organization) or CAPPA (which is Canadian organization). I am in Canada as well… Most cities have organizations!
And you should be able to get a doula! Doulas are not covered by Canada health, but some insurance companies do cover doulas if you have s generous health care spending account. And in some provinces can be claimed through your taxes. Hope this helps!
Thank you! I really actually appreciate you sending me all that info!!! I will check it out! I’m currently only 8 weeks along with my (hopefully) 2nd child. Hoping to get last week 13 so that chance of miscarriage (however small at this point.) is not as concerning. I didn’t have a doula for my first. I wonder if it would have helped. I will absolutely check to see if I can get a doula this time round. My husband … God bless him. Was more like a deer in headlights during the last birth. Lol! Thank you for taking the time to post that information. I appreciate it.
I definitely wouldn’t recommend drinking any other tea during pregnancy, as many herbal teas can have potent side effects, but I shared a link to the research in my post above showing that Red Raspberry Leaf tea has been shown to shorten labor and possibly reduce the need for interventions. Stefanie shared great info regarding doulas! Mine has attended nearly 500 births, so she has seen it ALL– and that experience can be really valuable when the time comes!
Interesting about the teas! American pregnancy association seems to say that the tea you mentioned was thought to be benificial as well. Whereas other health sites don’t mention it at all and lump all teas together. No wonder people find health information so confusing! Ill discuss it with my Doctor. Cheers!
You may get more information discussing herbal teas with a herbalist. As doctors don’t generally study herbal medicine they tend to say avoid it as they are covering themselves.
You know what’s the best tip for pregnancy? Laughing. (On an empty bladder of course).i heard it’s just as effective as those squats you do for baby positioning. (Ok. I Made that one up. But it sounds like it could be true)
https://youtu.be/GEbZrY0G9PI
I immediately thought of this guy when you were discussing why you planned on having your baby at the hospital.
My midwife (at the doctor’s office) also recommended Red Raspberry Leaf tea after week 37.
Great tips!!! Love your website btw
Since the labor and delivery of my first child was 32 hours and required intervention I wanted to do as much as I could to prepare for my second child’s birth to prevent that from happening again so I ate dates, drank the tea and got chiropractic care during the last trimester. It all payed off when I had a pretty easy time birthing my son this time who was 2 lbs heavier than my first!
I’m so glad to hear that the second time around was easier for you. Sounds like you were a champ for the first one– 32 hours would leave me exhausted!
I did the squats too to prepare for labor and delivery. I was told by my doula to not even try to prepare because you never know what’s going to happen…..you can make this awesome great plan and then it can blow up in your face. As it turns out my doula told me during my 1st labor that I was being a major wimp and was probably only 1 cm dialated. As it turns out, I was 10 centers dilated and almost ended up giving birth in the elevator. My doula was like…ooops. My doctor didn’t make it even close to on time and a nurse delivered the baby on the spot the second I got into the labor room, baby came out! Exciting though and I got the drug-free labor I wanted. One huge advantage of going naural is your baby is super awake when born and you REALLy bond with them!!!!
Ha, my doula was very similar during my first pregnancy– she was CONVINCED I was in early labor when my husband told her I needed to go to the hospital, and she even tried to brew a pot of coffee before we left to stall. But, my baby was almost born in the car! When I arrived at the hospital I was totally dilated and ready to push… which also gave me the drug-free birth I wanted. It was just a little more of a whirlwind than I expected. LOL 😉
This is just like my birthing story! My doula didn’t even make it to my house because she told me to “wait until it becomes really uncomfortable”. Well I did wait. My husband and I decided it was time to go to the hospital. My body was pushing with each contraction and my water broke as we pulled up to the hospital. I gave birth 10 minutes later. Although dramatic, I love my birthing story and really wouldn’t have wanting anything different. Since I did most of it home I needed no medical intervention just a few stitches afterwards?
Love your website! Would love more recipes for picky toddlers!
I’m not pregnant but I will totally try the raspberry leaf tea for my menstruation pain. Thanks!
Same here I’m not pregnant but im reading this article
Great tips. One thing about squatting is it depends on how your feet are placed whether your pelvis is opened or closed. Squatting for delivery is encouraged because it opens the outlet of your pelvis by up to 30%, however it closes the inlet of your pelvis in the process. IF your baby is not engaged yet, you wouldn’t want to do squats unless your feet are in a nueetral position. Feet placement is important when it comes to squatting, if you feel your sits bones as you squat, you can feel whether it’s opening or closing the outlet of your pelvis. I will also add most people don’t squat correctly. Gail Tully of spinning babies teaches proper squatting, a supported squat with a partner is great, feet should be parallel (not pointed out or in and remain on the ground) and you go down you sit back like sitting in chair, this is done while holding your partners hands and mirroring what they’re doing.
I’m a certified experienced birth doula and trained with Gail Tully in spinning babies techniques.
Hi Megan,
What I found INCREDIBLY useful for my second delivery was:
–labor advice from the Bradley Method. This is traditionally advice that the partner (often Dad) will use to soothe Mom, but I used it all on myself b/c I didn’t want to rely on others to regulate MY moods, body, etc. The visualization and breathing were incredibly useful to keep anxiety at bay, and to manage pain naturally.
–Bellydance for Labor had vert gentle movement that help open the cervix during labor, and give you something fun, focused and relaxing to do to help manage pain. Again, I found this incredible useful, especially b/c I could compare it (8 hours) to my first experience (21 hour labor)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cir6j8G53wg
I hope you find these as empowering as I did!
I also wanted to know: have you read anything about being able to avoid the antibiotics for people who are Group B Strep positive?
Thanks,
Sabijo
Thanks for sharing! The only thing I’ve read about for avoiding antibiotics if you’re GBS+ is the Hibiclens protocol that they use in Europe: http://www.drmomma.org/2009/09/chlorhexidine-hibiclens-protocol-for.html (Though I’m not sure you could find a provider who would agree to this in a hospital-type setting.)
I did test positive for GBS during my last pregnancy, but we didn’t know that until after my son was born, so we did manage to avoid antibiotics simply because we didn’t know any better– and I only arrived to the hospital 20 minutes before pushing him out. When we heard the test results the next day, they simply monitored him to make sure he showed no sign of infection. Had I tested positive before delivering, I’m not sure I would have had any other options, because even my midwife insists on the antibiotic protocol just to be on the safe side.
First of all, I am loving this conversation.
But I do want to weigh in on the GBS topic. I tested positive in my first pregnancy, so I did a ton of research on it because I am extremely wary of taking antibiotics without a really stinking good reason. Turns out that the rate of false positive GBS tests is through the roof, and that even if you are actually truly positive, the likelihood of your baby coming into contact with anything and being affected by it is extremely slim. Meanwhile the downsides of you taking antibiotics during the third trimester at all and even more so during labor are huge!
If you refuse the test (like I have now for the last three pregnancies including current) they will treat you and your baby based on symptoms… you know, like doctors are supposed to…
If one is very concerned about GBS, I’ve read a few times that water birth makes it nearly impossible for baby to be affected by GBS. Also a garlic or natural yogurt suppository supposedly can help. I have not tried either of those, so I can’t speak from experience there.
Just say no to antibiotics for no reason. It’s medical CYA and it’s not good for you.
Thank you so much for sharing those tips with us! I’ve already started increasing my intake of dates and raspberry leaf tea. I also practice the malasana pose regularly to stengthen my pelvic muscles. I hear it’s also great for your back if you have a lot of disconfort towards the end of your pregnancy. I am currently 36 weeks pregnant with baby #1, so I can’t wait to see if all the efforts help with my labor! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy!!
Ok, so a little heads-up now that baby is three months old! I was induced at 42 weeks since I was showing no signs of giving birth and was uncomfortable with the idea of going postterm. At that time I was 50% effaced and barely dilated. My labor was 38 hours long without any breaks and I pushed for an hour and ten minutes. I don’t regret trying my best to facilitate my labor, at least I got healthy alternatives to other drinks and foods and great workout ideas from this post, but I don’t think they had an influence on my labor. They rather helped me stay healthy and fit during my last trimester. I’m not looking to create any controversy, I just thought I’d share my experience. Have a good day!
Thanks for sharing!
When do you start the tea and dates ? 36 weeks?
Dates are always good for you, so the sooner the better. People in the Middle East, and Muslims around the world, eat them often and use them to break their fasts during Ramadan and at other times. The Quran tells the story of Mary giving birth to Jesus near a palm tree, and she is told to shake the tree to make dates fall for her – so the idea of dates are helpful for giving birth is very old.
Did you do the complete Hypnobabies course?
Or did you just do the Hypnobabies home study course?
Did you incorporate the Bradley method at all in your birth? Would be great to know more about how you made those decisions. I am 4 months pregnant, and trying to decide what method(s) to go with.
Thank you!
I just did the home study Hypnobabies course with my first pregnancy. (Though I don’t think I finished it…) I found the affirmations most helpful, so that’s all I listened to with my second pregnancy. I did not use the Bradley method at all, but I also didn’t incorporate any “techniques” into my labor. I think you mostly need a positive mindset, so Hypnobabies helps with that, but my body told me how I wanted to be with each contraction. (Usually breathing on all fours.) I definitely recommend getting a doula, though! I used one both times, and just having their support is really comforting when the time comes.
Hi Megan,
Thank you for this information! I am 7 months pregnant and I keep coming back to this and some of the other posts you made while pregnant. I was wondering what you thought about placenta encapsulation? I am considering having it done and I know there aren’t a whole lot of studies about it so I am curious if different people’s experience. I’d be interested in any thoughts you have 🙂 Thanks!
Congrats on your pregnancy! I didn’t do it with my first because there wasn’t an easy option in my situation. I was a crying mess during the first few months after he was born, but that is mostly due to the fact that he had a very painful latch, and breastfeeding hurt me terribly for the entire first year. As a result, I got very little sleep because I was wide awake during our nighttime feedings, and I would cry from the pain. It’s actually a miracle that we nursed for 3 years, but we’re both very stubborn. 🙂
With my second baby, my doula offered placenta encapsulation so I went for it! She was already at the birth, so she took the placenta with her and delivered the capsules and a few tinctures to me a few days later. I have to say, I was already feeling FANTASTIC before she even brought them, because my daughter latched perfectly for breastfeeding, and we get great sleep together… so I feel like a totally different person, even without the placenta pills. However, I’m happy I tried them, and I still take one every now and then for an energy-boost. My husband has actually tried them, too! So, I think they are worth a shot if they fit in your budget.
Hi! Thank you SO much for these helpful tips. For the dates, do they need to be medjool dates or will 6 of the smaller dates work too? Thank you!!!
I had no idea that squats were some of the best exercises to prepare for child birth. My wife is currently pregnant with our first child and I want to make sure that the delivery is safe for both her and the baby. I definitely think that she should make sure to exercise and find a labor and delivery service to make sure that the birth is smooth and successful.
The third trimester of pregnancy is the most difficult period for expecting mothers. The baby is due any moment and utmost care must be taken of the mother’s health to prevent any untoward incidents.
https://www.parentcircle.com/article/third-trimester-of-pregnancy-what-to-eat-and-exercise/
Great!
You’ve got some great tips for giving birth! My wife is close to giving birth to our first son, so I’ll be sure to show her this. If nothing else, I’ll buy a ton of date nuts for her to eat, like you said.
I am allergic to allopathy, and homeopathy is not always applicable. It’s the best thing I read today and it’s going to be very helpful. Thanks for this article.
Hiya The amazon link to the last bullet point item, Udo’s DHA Oil, seems to not lead to the product anymore . Could you share with which bottle you purchase? TIA
Apart from the date fruits which actually worked for me in my last two pregnancies, also jute leaves are very effective for quick dilation and fast delivery. All one has to do is blend the jute leaves and pour in a glass cup, atleast 2cups per day .
Appreciating the time and effort you put into your website and in depth information you offer. You’ve really covered up almost all the possible tips that every parents should follow. Worth sharing! Please do continue sharing tutorials and tips on tricks! Thanks for your help!
Very very informative…
In my country most women use fresh orange leaves by picking a handful of the younger looking ones and bruising them or crushing them to later add them to a bottle of water, after a while it is strained and kept until active labour…
Be sure to take it on the way to the hospital or just before you enter coz you might just deliver in your car and name your baby Carson,😂lols.
Only take when baby is engaged or in perfect head down position, and when you are in active labour…
It’s very fast and effective for women who are in the get this baby out stage…
This is done along with a whole lot of walking… It’s normal to see a lot of third trimester women up and down in the streets here… They’re very strong.. and Walk a lot in second and third trimester.
Hi. For the squatting recommendation- is that throughout pregnancy or just in those last three to four weeks?
Thanks,
Brittany