![]() ![]() Pineapple is the popular one to try but the pregnant woman would need to eat a huge amount – which could cause an upset tummy. This has never been tested in humans, although two small animal studies showed pineapple could have an effect on uterine tissue (Nuwankudu et al, 2015 Monji et al, 2016). Fruitsįresh tropical fruits like pineapple, kiwi, mango and papaya are high in an enzyme called bromelain. There’s no research showing curry has the desired effect of bringing on labour, though there is a chance of spicy food giving you heartburn if you are prone to it during pregnancy. Many pregnant women try eating hot curry, believing the laxative effect will stimulate the bowel and then the womb (Chaudhry et al, 2011). So here’s a rundown of the popular home remedies and whether there’s a grain of truth in any of them. You might have heard that eating certain foods can help to start labour but wonder whether they’re myths. And that’s why women often sail beyond their estimated due date. So a 'term' pregnancy is defined as any time between 37 and 42 weeks. ![]() It's good to know that pregnancies can vary in length by 37 days, which is over five weeks! (Jucik et al, 2013) The ultrasound scan offered between 11 and 14 weeks can confirm or adjust this age (NICE, 2021a). There is some discussion about whether this rule, dating from the 19th century, is helpful as anything more than a guideline (Lawson, 2021). Medical professionals use Naegele’s rule to calculate gestational age, which is based on a standard length of pregnancy and the date of the last period. ![]() Why don’t babies arrive on their estimated due date? If that’s you and you’re wondering how to kick-start labour, it's helpful to remember that most babies do not arrive on their estimated due date. The pregnant woman might also feel impatient for labour to start because they're uncomfortable or they might want to avoid a membrane sweep or induction. One of the most common questions pregnant women are asked during pregnancy is ‘when is the baby due?’ So it’s understandable that this date becomes all-important and they might feel disappointed if their baby doesn’t stick to the schedule. ![]()
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