What are traditional ways of helping induce labour?

First is the ‘stretch and sweep’. This is when your LMC inserts their fingers into your vagina to gently stretch the cervix open, and strip some of the placental membranes away from it, stimulating the production of prostaglandins. Next is to stimulate your nipples for five minutes every quarter hour to release oxytocin (uterus-contracting hormone). Of course, making love can sometimes produce mile labour uterine contractions and your partner’s semen is a rich source of prostaglandins which will ripen the cervix. A couple of other traditional remedies are listed in pages 110 – 111.