Now that Kate Middleton’s rumored due date has come and gone, it’s about time for doctors to start inducing labor.
So how does this happen?
According to Science, there are multiple ways!
If she’s feeling old school, the Duchess can ingest castor oil and spicy foods which will make her bowels do things that aren’t fit for a royal person to talk about. But they are natural, which might be enticing to Kate since she wants a natural birth anyway.
Another way to induce the natural way is a romp in the royal hay! Ahh, so maybe that’s why Prince William came back from work early!
According to Dr. Jennifer Ashton, a board certified OB/GYN:
“Sex is a great one because sex definitely has plausible physiology, which is that there’s a component in semen called prostaglandin and prostaglandin are known to stimulate uterine contractions and soften the cervix. And then it’s also the direct contact. Via sex, the direct contact to the cervix can trigger labor.”
Taking a long walk is also another old wives tale for how to get the labor party going, because the dehydration causes uterine contractions.
A final one that has little science behind it is acupuncture. Hey, why not give it a go?! It’s natural and could give this little baby a nudge to evacuate the womby premises.
Another OB/GYN, Dr. Kim Gecsi, said it could just be a mental thing:
“Sometimes it’s just a matter of being relaxed and being calm, being ready, making sure everything is all together and that you’ve prepared because there’s a lot of mind over body stuff that I personally think makes a little bit of difference.”
Good point! Except, we’re pretty sure they’re prepared! They’ve got the car escorts and luxury birthing suites all figured out.
Maybe in the meantime Kate can just take a walk to the Indian food restaurant for a spicy version of their vegetarian curry.
[Image via WENN.]