I Tried These 5 Popular Methods to Induce Labor, and This Is What Happened

I'd read online that eating pineapple, which contains a proteolytic enzyme called bromelain, can help soften the cervix and induce contractions. I love pineapple, so I was game to try this natural method to give my labor a kick-start. I bought several fresh pineapples from the grocery store, cut them up, and dug in night after night. One evening, my tropical snack did induce some fairly strong contractions, but they stopped after about an hour.

The verdict: Eating pineapple may get things going, but for me, the effects didn't lead to baby.

The act of intimacy releases oxytocin, that crucial hormone needed for contractions to start. Semen may also soften the cervix, and having an orgasm can get things going, too. So my husband and I got busy nightly, and while I enjoyed connecting with him, my huge tummy made finding a comfortable position comically difficult.

The verdict: Good times, but our baby stubbornly hung in there no matter how much lovemaking we logged.

Another oxytocin booster involves, well, playing with your nipples. You can look up how to do this "properly" to induce labor, but I kinda just winged it while watching TV or standing in the shower. I felt pretty silly, and it got uncomfortable since my breasts were sore in late pregnancy. But I figured if squeezing and fondling my boobs would lead to my baby's birth, then what the heck?

The verdict: I was still pregnant after stimulating my nipples and more than just a little over touching myself for no reason.

I learned through my experimentation with home methods of inducing my labor that baby will come when baby is ready. So waiting is really the only thing that worked to bring on my labor. A few days before my due date, my son was finally born. Hallelujah!