As pregnancy draws to a close, women are often anxiously awaiting the start of labor. With this excitement, they may also wonder, will walking trigger labor? You may hear it from friends, family and even your doctor. It's an easy, safe and accessible activity.
But walking will not induce labor. It's a complicated process that involves hormones, cervical readiness and fetal positioning. What walking will do is assist your body to prepare for labor, getting things in the right position so that when labor starts, it might go more easily.
Can You Walk Your Way to an Earlier Delivery?
Walking is a natural and supportive motion. When you walk, gravity can help your baby drop down further into your pelvis. Meanwhile, the gentle rocking action of your hips can help your baby to turn into the best position for delivery.
This downward shift and movement can increase the pressure on your baby's head and your cervix. If your body is ready for labor to start, this may help soften and open your cervix. But it's important to have realistic expectations. Think of walking as a gentle nudge to your body, not a 'start' button. It’s about being in harmony with your baby when they are ready.
Walking can also have psychological effects. It offers a chance to feel like you are doing something during such an uncertain time, and can help with feelings of restlessness and discomfort in pregnancy.
What is Curb Walking
Curb walking is a form of walking that creates a slight imbalance in your walking pattern. When you walk on the curb with one foot and street with the other, your hips tip to one side. This imbalanced movement creates a dynamic opening of your pelvis.
How Does It Support Labor?
The slight change in your pelvis during curb walking can help make way for your baby to descend and rotate into the best position for birth. Since one hip is always slightly higher, this movement can cause an asymmetrical opening of the pelvis, and can be useful if your baby is not engaged.
This additional movement might also put more pressure on the cervix and trigger contractions in women whose body is starting to prepare for labor. Although it may not be guaranteed, it can be a helpful technique to use in conjunction with other gentle movements.
How to Curb Walk Safely
Safety is paramount, particularly given your balance may be compromised. Select a flat curb in a safe location and wear comfortable shoes with a good grip. Stand upright and not to one side, and change sides regularly to prevent your hips from getting sore.
You can also walk with a friend or in a familiar place in case you need assistance. If you experience pain or discomfort, take a break.
How Long Should I Curb Walk?
It's best to start with 10-15 minutes. If you feel good, you can build up to 20 or 30 minutes. It's not about pushing your body but keeping it moving without getting exhausted, as interfere with.
Why Movement Matters During Late Pregnancy
There's more to movement during late pregnancy than just attempting to bring on labour. Regular movement keeps your body limber, boosts circulation and decreases the discomforts of pregnancy, such as swelling and lower back pain.
More importantly, staying active helps maintain your body's alignment. With a flexible pelvis and contracted and relaxed muscles, your baby is more likely to get into the optimal position for delivery. This can help make the process of giving birth easier.
There's also a psychological aspect. Low-impact exercise such as walking can help calm you, improve sleep and make you feel better, all of which can be helpful in preparation for labor.
Other Recommended Movements for Labor Preparation
Using a Birth Ball
Using a birth ball is a simple way to improve mobility of the pelvis. Sitting on the ball will help to open your hips and the gentle swaying and rolling will help your baby to settle into the birth canal.
The Momcozy BirthEase Maternity Exercise Ball Set will give you the support you need to do these exercises during the day. Sitting on the ball instead of on a chair occasionally can also help to keep you more comfortable as it encourages good posture and relieves lower back pain.
The ball also helps to keep your hips and pelvis moving naturally. These gentle movements like rocking and slow circles can help to relax any tight muscles, reduce any tension in the pelvis and help the baby settle into the optimal position for labour. This may help to optimise position and prepare for labor.
Another bonus is that it's simple. You can do it while you are working, watching TV or just relaxing and it can help you be active without having to take extra time off your workload. It can also be used to relieve discomfort in the later stages of pregnancy, when sitting is difficult.
The ball can also be helpful during the third trimester. You can bounce on the ball or lean forward on it to reduce discomfort and relax, which can help you to be more comfortable and supported as you go into labour.
Stair Climbing
Climbing stairs is also a change of weight bearing position like going up and down kerbs. There is greater weight on your hips and legs which can help with baby dropping. This should be done slowly and with a handrail.
Squats and Pelvic Movements
Squats will open up your pelvis and stretch out the muscles you'll use to give birth. When they are combined with pelvic tilts or rocking, they can help to relieve lower back pain and improve baby's position.
Yoga and Stretching for Pregnancy
Prenatal yoga is exercise and relaxation. The stretches will keep you flexible and the breathing will help you relax - both important during labour. And it's a time to connect with your baby.
Other Natural Methods to Support Labor Prep
But there are other natural methods to induce labor, besides exercise. Some are physiological, and others anecdotal.
Sex is often recommended due to the prostaglandins in semen (which may help prepare the cervix), and the contractions that orgasm can induce. And nipple stimulation leads to the oxytocin hormone being released, which facilitates labour.
Certain foods that are thought to improve digestion, such as spicy food, may be eaten but there's no evidence for this. Other countries may use techniques, like acupressure and acupuncture, to stimulate labour points.
Other techniques, such as taking castor oil or evening primrose oil, are less clear. These may work or not, but can be irritating or cause other side effects, so speak to your doctor before you use them. Other methods, such as membrane sweeping, are more mainstream as they are performed by a health professional.
When to Avoid Walking for Labor
While walking is safe for most pregnancies, it's not for all. If you've been told to rest or have a high-risk pregnancy, you should follow your doctor's recommendations.
But you should also take it easy if you feel dizzy, have vaginal bleeding, pain or a reduction in the baby's movements. This needs to be checked by a doctor. Your walk should be a leisurely one.
FAQs
Will walking induce labor if I’m not dilated yet?
If you're not dilated, walking will likely not induce labor. But it will help your body do its job if you are dilated.
How much walking does it take to start labor?
There's no magic number. It's recommended that you walk for 20-45 minutes a day, but the most important thing is consistency.
Does curb walking work better than regular walking?
It may be a little bit more beneficial to walk on the curb because the pelvis and baby open, but walking is still good.
Can walking help once labor has already started?
It may help to start the contractions in early labour. And it may help you to feel relaxed and in control in the early labour.
Conclusion
So, will my labour start if I walk? Well, yes and no. Walking will not trick your body into labor if it's not ready, but it can play a vital part. When you walk, your body is preparing for labour because it helps the baby to move down the birth canal for delivery, promotes blood flow and keeps your muscles stretched.
By using other gentle methods, such as a birth ball, stretching and relaxing, you are preparing yourself. But lastly, be safe and listen to your intuition. Baby will come when they is ready but this can help prepare you physically and emotionally.
