As the due date approaches, you are probably becoming more and more impatient. Back pain, sleep disturbances, weight gain… you only have one wish: to give birth. So, are there any tips you can try to give birth faster?
Here are a few tips to give birth faster.
Giving birth faster: how important is a pregnancy due date?
The “classic” length of a pregnancy is nine months, or 41 weeks of amenorrhea (WA). Beyond 41 weeks, the pregnancy is considered prolonged, and after 42 weeks—post-term—it is considered to pose increased risks for both you and your baby.
The estimated due date is generally set during the first-trimester ultrasound, performed between 11 and 13 WA. Measurements of the fetus during this period, when growth is very uniform, make it possible to determine the presumed start of the pregnancy as well as its due date.
On your due date, you will be asked to undergo a medical check-up. During this appointment, your midwife will carry out several examinations: a medical interview, a urine test, measurement of vital signs, fetal monitoring to assess your baby’s heart rate and contractions, and an ultrasound to check the baby’s well-being, the amount of amniotic fluid, and the condition of the placenta. A vaginal exam may also be offered, if you wish, to assess changes in the cervix. If the results are normal, closer monitoring will be put in place, with a consultation every 48 hours.
In the meantime, here are a few natural methods that may help promote the natural onset of labor. Please note that not all of these methods are scientifically proven and they do not work for everyone. In all cases, it is important to consult your healthcare provider regarding your individual situation.
1 – Giving birth faster: acupuncture
Acupuncture provides many benefits to the body as well as psychological benefits.
Several studies have shown that acupuncture sessions can help trigger labor, notably by softening the cervix. It can also help you relax. Sessions can be performed with an acupuncturist or a midwife trained in acupuncture.
You can find a directory of acupuncture-trained midwives on the ASFA website.
Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your pregnancy.
2 – Giving birth faster: physical activity
Physical activity can play a role in changing your cervix. If contractions appear thanks to activity, the cervix may change and thus trigger labor. Feel free to walk, dance, swim, do household chores, or climb stairs to help speed up labor. However, remain cautious: do not hesitate to ask the healthcare professional who is monitoring your pregnancy which physical activities are recommended for you.
In any case, during pregnancy it is recommended to engage in physical activity at least three times a week, or even daily if possible. It is better to prioritize regular practice spread over several days rather than concentrating all your effort into one intense session. This can simply be a 30-minute walk.
If you were not used to exercising before your pregnancy, progress gradually: start with sessions of about 15 minutes, then gradually increase their duration.
3 – Giving birth faster: sexual intercourse
Also known as “Italian induction,” sexual intercourse can help speed up the onset of labor. Semen contains prostaglandins, which help trigger uterine contractions in pregnant women. Making love also leads to the production of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for contractions and therefore the one that can speed up labor. Sexual intercourse can always take place during pregnancy without causing premature labor. It is only at the very end of pregnancy that it may trigger childbirth. 
4 – Giving birth faster: breast stimulation
Try gently stimulating your breasts regularly, three times a day for about twenty minutes. You can involve your partner. Breast stimulation promotes the secretion of oxytocin, a hormone that influences uterine contractions. 
5 – Giving birth faster: drinking raspberry leaf tea
Raspberry leaves help facilitate cervical dilation and therefore represent a natural solution for triggering labor at the end of pregnancy. Raspberry leaf tea should be consumed without sugar during the last month of pregnancy. 
6 – Giving birth faster: dates
Eating six dates a day could also help you give birth faster. Their biochemical composition is similar to that of oxytocin. Consuming them may stimulate receptors for this hormone, thereby enhancing the action of oxytocin naturally produced during childbirth.
Warning: their high carbohydrate content makes them not recommended in cases of gestational diabetes.
7 – Giving birth faster: the pregnancy ball
The pregnancy ball is also a great way to help trigger contractions. Sit on the ball and perform gentle bouncing movements, side-to-side motions, or front-to-back movements. The goal is to stay mobile in order to trigger contractions and attempt to encourage cervical changes. 
8 – Giving birth faster: relaxing
Relaxing promotes cervical opening and helps you unwind. Stress and anxiety cause muscle tension. Consider taking a warm bath, changing positions regularly, listening to relaxing music, getting a back massage, or practicing meditation using breathing exercises.
We remind you that these tips can be very helpful if you wish to speed up labor, but they are not medical certainties and do not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. Be sure to prioritize the guidance of your obstetrician-gynecologist or the midwives at your maternity ward.
As your due date approaches, your maternity unit may also offer artificial and natural induction methods, such as membrane sweeping or an oxytocin infusion. Performed by healthcare professionals and with your consent, these methods make it possible to trigger labor so that your baby is born at the optimal time.
Finally, be ready for childbirth! Remember that the two common signs indicating the start of labor are intense and regular contractions and rupture of the amniotic sac accompanied by contractions.
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Photo credits: shotprime | iviphoto93 | gpointstudio | AnnaStills | PhotoVolcano | Lucky7Trader | Image-Source | shotprime
This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.
