4 Things You Can Do to Prepare Your Cervix for Labor

Far too many people are going in for necessary (medically-indicated) inductions and finding that their cervix just isn’t ready to open — ultimately leading to a cesarean section. I’ve been thinking a lot about those types of births, and if there is anything we can do to help them. Today I want to give you a few things you can do prior to your due date (think in the last 4-5 weeks of pregnancy) that can start to get that cervix ready for labor.

I should note, these things aren’t “let’s go into labor” tonight type things. The only thing that I’ve really seen that with (that you could do at home) is Castor oil which I don’t recommend as it does have risks. OR medications we give in the hospital like Misoprostol, Pitocin or Cervidil. These are things, that have shown with time can soften your cervix and hopefully make labor (whenever it comes) a bit easier.

These things shouldn’t be done til’ you’ve talked with your provider to make sure they’re safe. Some of these things are NOT good for specific people — so, review your plans with your provider at around your 34 week check-up to make sure you’re all on the same page. In fact, you’ll actively avoid some of these things (like pumping) until you’re closer to 36 weeks.

While you’re there, that’s a GREAT point in time to start talking about your birth plan (and I can help with that too):

This (or any article on The Pregnancy Nurse) should be taken as medical advice, this purely educational. Please talk with your provider about your specific needs and circumstances.

One other note: These are only for people planning for a vaginal delivery. If you’re planning on a cesarean there really isn’t a reason to do this, and it may be problematic — for instance, if you have placental issues you definitely do NOT want to try these things!

AND in case you’re a listener/watcher I have a video on the same topic too:

Ok, with all of that out of the way, let’s talk about a few things I’ve found that can help:

“Special Time”

This seems to be birth worker’s favorite thing to say to go into labor. I have a whole post about it with studies linked right here:

Best Sex Position to Induce Labor?

Let me boil it down for you:

As you’ll find with all of these, that is very unlikely to “kick” you into labor.

However, if done frequently in that last month (I’m not talking daily here — maybe 2-3 times/week) it may help to soften that cervix. In one of the studies it did show a decrease in gestational age for those who did it vs those who didn’t (although another one showed you were even less likely to go into labor).

More importantly, one of them showed that people were less likely to need a cesarean section who had tried it — meaning, the hope is that it’s softening that cervix, so when labor comes — it’s more ready to let that baby come down!

Who knows if it’s prostaglandin in the sperm, maybe oxytocin released with a nice O or nipple stimulation (we’ll talk more about that coming up)… but I think this may help if done over that last month.

Is it going to be easy or fun? Personally, I haven’t found it to be that way, but maybe I’m in the minority.

You’ll also want to check with your provider to make sure sex is OK with any issues your pregnancy is having. There are things that do require vaginal rest.

Remember that the idea behind a lot of these is to help oxytocin flow — if, at any point, you’re just hating any these — I think you may be blocking your own hormones — and it likely isn’t worth it. Something to consider.

And if you have a big eye roll at just thinking about your partner in that way, I can only recommend getting on the same page with this. I get it, it can feel very heavy to be in charge of growing that baby on your own, but getting them involved can help!

Pumping or Nipple Stimulation

We have LONG known that nipple stimulation promotes oxytocin being released into your blood stream. Will it help push you into labor?

I have a whole article about it here:

Pumping To Induce Labor? Will it work?

As all of these, 15 minutes of pumping isn’t likely to put you into labor, but the studies do show that if done repeatedly over you last few weeks of pregnancy it may well soften your cervix.

This is definitely something you want to talk to your provider about before doing. There is a chance of over-stimulation of your uterus — meaning it contracts too much which can be bad for both you and baby. You’ll want to know the signs of that and anything else to watch for. You’ll definitely at least want to ask when they feel it will be safe for you to try.

A note on colostrum collection: I know this is all the rage right now, and I don’t think that having a few syringes of it is a bad idea, but I’m seeing people with TONS of syringes of it and I just think that might be a waste of supplies and effort. If you just want to pump and be done, that’s fine too. don’t feel like you have to collect anything that comes out (and for most people, not much will come out). It saves you in wash time too.

I have a whole post on leaking and what that means in case you’re interested in more info on it.

While I am 100% a fan of getting that pump set up and figuring out how it works — you can also just use your hands to do this. It doesn’t have to be a pump, I just think most people prefer that… Read that full article if you want more info on it.

Want to know more about “old wives tales”: about going into labor? — check out these posts:

• When Should I Start Drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea?
• Can Curb Walking Induce Labor?
• Can You Push Yourself Into Labor?
• Can a Hot Bath Induce Labor at 39 Weeks?
• Why Does Eggplant Induce Labor?

Evening Primrose Oil

This is a supplement that you can put into your body (studies seem to show a vaginal application works best) and may have some good effects. I have a whole post that goes into the studies:

Does Evening Primrose Oil Induce Labor?

This, again, is one of those to check with your provider about where to put it, what ones are best (I have NO idea on that) and what dosage would be right. ALSO, there are specific issues that make primrose oil contraindicated, including people with clotting issues or mental health issues. So, be SURE to talk with them.

In that post above I link to some studies that do show babies were born sooner by those who took this supplement over their last few weeks of pregnancy vs those who did not.

Which was honestly, VERY promising for me to read.

It also showed a decrease in cesareans — hopefully just getting your body ready, so when labor does come it’s ready!

But, if your provider recommends vaginal insertion and it’s just too hard or too annoying, you may want to skip it. Again — if you find yourself HATING any of these, you may be blocking your own oxytocin. A good life lesson for all of us!

For any friends who are in their third trimester, don’t miss my checklist pack here:

Ok, last one that’s for your cervix (I have a few other things to get the rest of you ready too, so be sure to read the full article):

Dates

And no, I’m not talking dinner and a movie, although those are great too. 🙂

I’m talking about the dried fruit variety. I have a full article with the studies linked here:

When to start Eating Dates During Pregnancy?

Studies have shown that those who eat 6 days/day starting about 36 weeks have a higher cervical dilation upon admission than those who didn’t. That’s really boiling it down — more info in that full post.

To me means that it’s softening that cervix. Those people also were less-likely to need induction agents, and had a shorter first phase of labor.

The idea is that something in the dates promotes prostaglandins. I think it’s been used in areas where dates are prolific for hundreds of years by midwives — pretty cool!

This one doesn’t have a lot of cons other than:

• If you’re diabetic you’ll need to watch the sugars with them, this might not be for you (check with your nutrition counselor)
• Some people find them gross… although I’ve seen some people blending them into smoothies or filling them with peanut butter.

They’re also dried fruit that may help with constipation. Which may mean less likely to poop at delivery (and frankly, keep them going afterwards to help with that first poop too!).

What Else Can I Do?

Yeah, a couple other things:

Get Prepared

Did you know that people who took a birth class were less likely to need to be induced? I mean, that’s pretty great and it also doesn’t involve putting anything into your baby exit area. 🤣

Do Birth Classes Improve Birth Outcomes? What do the studies show?

The reality is that your own concerns about giving birth may be stopping that oxytocin from flowing.

I recommend this class. Studies have shown that people feel 60% less nervous about birth and over 70% more prepared to give birth after taking the class, which is pretty great!

But, let me stop some of your concerns about it right now:

I don’t have time: I get it, some birth classes are like a marathon where they throw information at you. This class isn’t that. It can be done in under 3 hours (less if you speed up the videos, my favorite) and it’s in less than 20-minute “birth bites” so you can get prepared fast. I get it, you’re busy — it’s just waiting for you 24/7.

I think I’ll take a hospital class: Our moms mostly took this type of class, but studies are showing these classes often fall short of what you really need. I hear far too many people saying their class just prepared them for labor stages and breathing, but didn’t prepare them for anything else happening, and I don’t want that for you. You need a high-quality class with great review, and hospital classes are hard to vet. I’m not saying they can’t be great, they can — but they’re just trickier.

It’s too expensive: I don’t know how we got to a place where birth classes at $400-$700 were the norm? Especially online ones. The one I recommend starts at under $100 and even has payments so you can spread it out. I’m a huge fan of that. Birth classes don’t need to be expensive.

In fact, in an effort to make this even LESS of an issue — I got coupon code PREGNURSE that will save you 10% on the class right now!

What if I hate it? Man, oh man — I get this one. First off, that class has a money-back guarantee. If you get in and just hate it or find that it’s not preparing you, she will refund your money. Good news on that front.

Also, if you’re worried — you can sign-up for a little mini class with her here to find-out if you’re a good fit:

Good news! You don’t even have to talk with your provider about this one. Birth classes are perfect for all pregnant couples and I think you’ll feel SO much better being prepared for your upcoming birth!

Stripping Membranes

Stripping membranes is tricky. The studies show it may work… ultimately I think that if you were going to go into labor already in the next couple of days it may “bump” you into labor. I have a whole article with studies right here:

What is Stripping Membranes? (Membrane Sweep)

However, if you already think that a vaginal exam is painful — this may not be the best option for you. It’s mostly a more-prolonged and painful vaginal exam. And yes, I tried it with all 3 of my kids. Worked well on one of the kids. Not a great batting average but I was grateful when it did work.

Ok….

What About Preparing My Body?

I think this is so smart, and while this isn’t what this article is on — let me give you a few things:

Prenatal Yoga/Exercise that Involves Deep Squats

We live in a society where we’re sitting far too much of the time to then try to send a baby through our hips.

I don’t know that there are studies, but I do know that people who exercise are less likely to have birth trauma.

Also, for a long time they’ve encouraged women to get into deep squat position and learn to relax their pelvic floor.

I just think it’s a good thing to do. Unless you’re in that position frequently, it can help those ligaments get their head on straight. 🙂

I had one of my favorite trainers on youtube on my podcast a few weeks ago to talk about pregnancy exercise:

Perineal Massage

This is one you again need to start early, but most of the studies do show a decreased chance of larger tears at delivery if you do some perineal massage. I (of course) have a whole article on it that explains it more:

3 Things to Know About Perineal Massage

Again, you’ll want to talk with your doctor about if it’s right for you. There are people who should NOT be doing it (any varicose veins in that area is one specific reason not to). Plus, they can show you how to do it safely and what to watch for.

But, if I was pregnant again, I would try this — even after having previous babies….

This one’s not going to put you into labor, it may just make birth a bit easier, and hopefully recovery a LOT easier (which was an area I wish I’d had more help with).

So, those are a few things that I would be doing in those last few weeks (with the approval of my provider) to get my body ready to have birth.

Honestly, it’s so easy to put-off the fact that this baby is coming OUT of your body at some point. To try not to think about it.

I think it’s so smart to prepare your mind, and your body with things like this.

And here’s where I share this secret. I’m actually the one who teaches that birth class.

I used to teach classes for my hospital, but found for a variety of reasons they just weren’t really preparing parents. The rigid timeframes were too much, and I was guided to only speak on specific subjects from my hospital.

I want you to not just be a great patient, but also to be great at making choices on your own — and that can be hard in the hospital class setting.

This pregnancy class was created for couples who…

• Want an all-in-one class for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and life after birth.
• Need flexibility to fit busy schedules (it’s available on-demand 24/7)
• Are looking to not only get prepared, but have a more solid relationship to bring baby home to
• Want evidence-based education from an experienced labor and delivery nurse
• Feel anxious about their upcoming birth, and wish they didn’t.

If that sounds good, you can check it out here! And, remember coupon code PREGNURSE will save you 10% — so you can get started right away!

Ok, did I miss anything? Tell me in the comments if there is something you’re trying to help your body prepare for labor. I’m always looking to research new ideas to share with you guys — so I appreciate it when you guys let me know!