How to Open the Cervix: Natural & Medical Ways to Induce Labor

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Speed up labor with these medically-approved methods
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Cervical dilation occurs during active labor, making room for the baby to travel through the birth canal. The cervix dilates naturally when the body is ready to give birth, but when it's necessary to move things along more quickly, dilation may be stimulated using medications or mechanical techniques. [1] Cervical dilation is best left in the hands of your doctor or midwife, who can ensure that the dilation is done safely and efficiently, no matter what the reason might be. Read on to learn more about how the cervix is dilated.

Things You Should Know

  • Move around by walking or dancing to help increase blood flow and naturally speed up the labor process at home.
  • Have sex to release prostaglandin (a labor-inducing hormone) to dilate your cervix fast.
  • Talk to your doctor about inducing labor with medications to help your cervical muscles contract.
Section 1 of 4:

Natural Ways to Induce Labor

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  1. One of the best and simplest ways to speed up dilation is to get up and move. We know this is easier said than done when you’re pregnant, but a little extra movement can help move labor along. Increasing blood flow can make you dilate faster, and moving around can help the baby’s weight put pressure on the cervix. [2]
    • Try walking around the room every time a commercial comes on.
    • Set a timer for every 30 minutes or so to change positions in bed.
    • Put on some groovy music and dance or sway to the beat.
    • Sit on an exercise ball and softly bounce or make circles with your hips.
  2. Believe it or not, laughter truly is the best medicine! Not only does laughter increase your blood flow, but it can also help relax your body. [3] This can ease your worries and help you destress, ultimately aiding dilation.
    • Put on a funny movie and relax with a cozy blanket.
    • Ask your partner or friend to tell you a funny story.
    • Look up funny animal videos online for a good chuckle.
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  3. Tensing up can hinder labor and make it harder for your cervix to dilate. Relaxing your body and taking time to rest may seem counterintuitive, but it can help speed up dilation. So, don’t hesitate to sit back and put your feet up—you and your baby deserve it!
    • Practice breathing exercises to calm your mind and body.
    • Light a few candles and cuddle up on the couch with a movie or good book.
    • Schedule or ask your partner to give you a massage. [4]
  4. Having sex with your partner may help speed up the labor process and encourage your cervix to dilate because it naturally helps you release prostaglandin (a hormone that induces labor). [5] In most cases, having sex is safe during pregnancy as long as your water hasn’t broken. Even so, it’s always best to consult your doctor before trying this method.
    • Although studies to support the connection between sex and cervical dilation aren’t entirely conclusive, many doctors still recommend this method to patients who are becoming impatient with their pregnancy. [6]
  5. Nipple stimulation releases the hormone oxytocin, which can help induce labor. To speed up dilation and promote the early stages of labor, rub your nipples and breasts for 15 minutes for a total of 1 hour a day. [7]
    • In a 1999 study, experts found that some patients needed a dose of synthetic oxytocin to help labor progress after nipple stimulation, as the body wasn’t able to naturally produce enough of the hormone on its own. [8]
  6. Primrose oil and red raspberry leaves are common remedies midwives use to help induce labor. While the effects of these natural remedies ripening the cervix are still being studied, many swear by them. Always talk with your doctor before taking or applying an herbal supplement to ensure you and your baby stay safe.
    • In one study, experts found that a daily dose of evening primrose oil helped ripen the cervix over time and induce labor. [9]
    • Another study concluded that drinking raspberry leaf tea during pregnancy could result in shorter labor, a softer cervix, and decrease the chances of pre- and post-term gestation. [10]
  7. Drinking castor oil could naturally help induce labor. [11] Some experts recommend adding castor oil to orange juice or milkshakes to speed up contractions. Even with the natural benefits, there are some side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and abdominal cramps. Talk to your doctor about using castor oil before ingesting it to ensure you and your baby are safe. [12]
  8. Some believe that holistic or alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, can help induce labor. With acupuncture, small, fine needles are inserted into the skin on specific pressure points to help soften and dilate the cervix. [13] The evidence supporting acupuncture as a method to induce labor is polarizing, with some studies proving the claim and others disproving it. [14] Because of this, consult your doctor before trying this labor-inducing method.
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Section 2 of 4:

Medical Ways to Induce Labor

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  1. Your doctor may provide synthetic or artificial hormones or medications to help ripen your cervix. The most common medications used are prostaglandins, dinoprostone, mifepristone, misoprostol, and oxytocin. These drugs stimulate the body to soften the cervix, relax cervical muscles, and aid dilation. Typically, they’re administered as a gel, vaginal insert, or pill. [15]
    • Prostaglandins help induce labor with uterine contractions. [16]
    • Dinoprostone helps prepare the cervix for induction. [17]
    • Mifepristone promotes contractions at all gestations. [18]
    • Misoprostol is often used to treat ulcers but has also been used to induce labor. [19]
    • Oxytocin helps induce labor and strengthen contractions. [20]
  2. A mechanical dilator may be used to forcibly ripen and dilate the cervix. With this medical method, a Foley catheter is inserted to drain the bladder and inflate a small balloon with water. The balloon is left in the cervix, causing it to soften and dilate over time. [21]
    • The balloon is typically left inside the cervix for 12 hours or until it falls out on its own.
    • Doctors often use this method if the pregnant individual wishes not to use medication or their cervix is “unripe” or “unfavorable.”
  3. Sometimes, a doctor may gently dilate the cervix by stripping the membrane. [22] During a membrane sweep, the doctor will sweep a gloved finger around the cervix to help separate the amniotic sac from the uterus wall. This can only be done once the cervix has started to dilate and is often performed to help speed up natural labor before scheduling an induction. [23]
    • There’s no guarantee that a membrane sweep will induce labor; however, many individuals have seen satisfactory results.
    • Know that membrane sweeping can be uncomfortable for some patients, as it does involve a physical (and somewhat invasive) examination.
  4. Forcibly breaking a pregnant individual’s water may help speed up labor. When labor starts, the amniotic sac around the baby ruptures, causing the water to break. Some doctors will advise patients to have an amniotomy to intentionally rupture the sac and induce labor. This is done by inserting a thin, plastic tool inside the vagina to tear a hole in the sac. [24]
    • This procedure can only be done when the baby is low in the pelvis and pressed against the cervix.
    • Most people don’t feel anything during an amniotomy, only a trickle or gush of water once the sac is torn.
    • While mildly invasive, risks still come with an amniotomy, such as infection, intense contractions, and umbilical cord prolapse.
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Section 3 of 4:

When would labor be medically induced?

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  1. Since the dilation of the cervix happens when labor moves from “early” to “active,” intervening in the process instead of letting it occur naturally is essentially the same as inducing labor. [25] Induction may be advised for several reasons, but more often than not, it’s because a pregnancy is at risk with one or more of these reasons: [26]
    • If you’re 2 weeks past your due date with no signs of early labor.
    • If your water broke but no contractions have occurred.
    • If you have an infection in the later stages of pregnancy.
    • If there's a problem with the placenta.
    • If you have a medical condition that might pose a risk if you wait too long to have the baby.
    • If you're undergoing a dilation and curettage procedure.
Section 4 of 4:

What are the risks of medically inducing labor?

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  1. It’s important to know that labor induction isn’t for everyone. Every method comes with risks that could potentially harm you and your baby, so it’s especially important to discuss the pros and cons with your doctor beforehand. In some instances, induction is necessary, but the risks still include: [27]
    • Failed induction. When an induction method doesn’t result in a vaginal delivery after 24 hours, a C-section may be performed.
    • Low fetal heart rate. Induced contractions might cut off the baby’s oxygen supply.
    • Infection. Rupturing the membrane can pose a risk to the pregnant individual and baby.
    • Uterine rupture. When the uterus tears and needs to be removed.
    • Bleeding after delivery. When induction methods cause the uterine muscles to work overtime, making it harder for them to contract naturally after birth.
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      References

      1. ↑ Jennifer Butt, MD. Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist. Expert Interview. 13 March 2020.
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/pumping-to-induce-labor/
      3. ↑ https://www.unitypoint.org/news-and-articles/laughter-is-no-joke-hidden-health-benefits-of-laughter
      4. ↑ https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/photo-gallery/natural-ways-to-induce-labor.aspx
      5. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24411-prostaglandins
      6. ↑ https://www.aafp.org/afp/2003/0515/p2123.html
      7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5813971/
      8. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/pumping-to-induce-labor/
      9. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9947258/
      1. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10754818/
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9240406/
      3. ↑ https://www.parents.com/can-castor-oil-induce-labor-safely-7643849
      4. ↑ https://www.cochrane.org/CD002962/PREG_acupuncture-or-acupressure-induction-labour
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6953318/
      6. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22165-cervical-ripening
      7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24411-prostaglandins
      8. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682512.html
      9. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992376/
      10. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a689009.html
      11. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22618-oxytocin
      12. ↑ https://utswmed.org/medblog/cervical-ripening-techniques/
      13. ↑ https://utswmed.org/medblog/cervical-ripening-techniques/
      14. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21900-membrane-sweep
      15. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24270-amniotomy
      16. ↑ Jennifer Butt, MD. Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist. Expert Interview. 13 March 2020.
      17. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/inducing-labor/art-20047557
      18. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/inducing-labor/art-20047557

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to dilate your cervix and speed up your labor, talk to your doctor about using medications like dinoprostone and misoprostol, which can be taken either vaginally or orally. You should also ask about non-chemical ways to dilate your cervix. For instance, a balloon-tipped catheter can be inserted and expanded to widen your cervix. One way you can speed up dilation at home without a doctor is by stimulating your nipples to release oxytocin into your body. If your partner is available, try having sex, as this releases a hormone throughout the body that might cause cervical dilation. For more help, like how to know when it’s necessary to dilate the cervix, read on.

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