It is important to know that as an expectant mother, you have to be mindful of what you take into your body system so you don’t induce premature labour. There are a number of foods that have been listed to induce labour by different people and perspective. If you also feel it is the right time for you to be in labour, you can try out some of these foods:
1. Eggplant
It is believed that eating eggplant Parmesan can help start up your labour. Other people suggest that the oregano and the basil used in making the dish are responsible. Scientifically, it has not been proved that taking eggplant Parmesan will make you deliver sooner than expected.
2. Balsamic vinegar
Apart from being a delicious ingredient for your salad, some people believe that drinking balsamic vinegar will help you go into labour. It is served as a ‘maternity salad’ that actually helps pregnant women to go into labour faster. Although, there is not enough evidence that these claims are true.
3. Castor oil
Particularly, castor oil is not a food. Pregnant women have taken in castor oil to induce labour in past years. Castor oil is derived from the bean of the castor plant. Findings have proved that the efficacy of castor oil as a labour inducer is undecided. Although some women have tested to the efficacy of castor oil to stimulate contractions for them.
Further research according to the ‘Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews’ has concluded that castor oil is good for inducing labor. It seems to be safe but will make one feel nauseous and may cause vomiting and diarrhea.
4. Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Red raspberry leaf herb has been known widely to prevent post-date pregnancies and also to tone the uterus. Studies on raspberry labour and its effect on labour have proved that eating the raspberry leaf may decrease the possibility of going beyond your due date. In the same vein, it has been discovered that taking a raspberry leaf from 32 weeks gestation until labour shortens the second stage of labour slightly and this results in lower rate of forceps use. However, it is better to confirm its safety from your health care provider to decide whether or not to ingest it.
5. Black Licorice
The compound contained in licorice root, glycyrrhizin which is believed to increase other compounds which help in contraction of the uterus. Most licorice candy is made with unnatural licorice flavour which does not contain glycyrrhizin. Licorice should, however, not be eaten in large amounts during pregnancy.