Does a hot bath help to induce labor?

Question

I am due July 20 and passed my mucous plug 1 week ago. The baby is weighing 7.5 lbs now and I am just ready. I think I remember something about a hot bath relaxing you enough that it starts labor. Anyone know of this?

Answer 1

Walking and heavy lifting induced labor for me. Well, it wasn't really heavy, it was only a 4L bag of milk... but it seemed REALLY heavy at the time (i was 3 days past my due date)... it nearly knocked me over.
I don't recommend heavy lifting though... you may hurt your back.
Another thing that apparently can induce labor is aspartame, however, I don't recommend that, either, as it is not healthy for you or the baby.

Try going for a nice long walk, do some house cleaning, but don't overwork yourself.

Answer 2

I have never heard of a hot bath inducing labor. High temperatures are bad for the baby so they are best avoided.

There are many methods that are said to induce labor and some women swear by them. Walking, sex, spicy food, castor oil, nipple stimulation (be careful with that one as some women overdo it and cause strong contractions that can be dangerous to the baby and you) and a bunch more. I've been trying many and I'm still nowhere.

Really, the only thing that will start labor is the combination of hormones produced by your body and the hormones produced by baby at the time it is ready to come out. There's nothing I've found or heard of that actually starts labor.

Walk alot and have lots of sex to ripen your cervix, that's all I know.

Congrats and good luck!

Answer 3

NO...if that was the case I would have had my daughter weeks early since a bath a night was the routine.

Hot baths are not recommended- warm baths are.
Likewise, you have 2 more weeks until your actual due date- the baby will be here soon, enjoy these last weeks of pregnancy as it is a special time. Soon, you will be beyond busy caring for a newborn.

Hails, that is not why you feel lightheaded after a bath- it is due to the constriction of cells in your body from the hot water- it has nothing to do with chlorine! Good Lord!
Take care.

Answer 4

awwww July 20 is my B-day!!! :) lol i've never heard of hot baths helping you too relax too start labor... All i know that it helps when your in labor, cuz your back is soo sore! I think the best way for a women to help herself go into labor is either go for a long long walk, have sex, or wash your floors by on your knees and or wash walls! Good Luck!

Answer 5

A hot relaxing bath is what they recommend to calm contractions and relieve pain, so no, I don't think that will help.

The only methods that have been proven are walking and washing the floor (hands and knees). There is a caster oil method, but I don't recommend it unless you will be otherwise having a c-section if you go too long (since it has some risk and doesn't work unless you are ready anyway).

Answer 6

I never heard of a hot bath inducing labor. I had my daughter last month. My husband was in Iraq so we didn't have sex since I was 6 weeks pregnant then when he came home we had sex, I was 39 wks pregnant and the next morning my water broke. So I had to get induced. Good luck!

Answer 7

I've only heard that it's supposed to help you relax after labor has already started, but you never know. I think all of it just depends on what your body is going to do regardless of whether you do x,y, or z. I personally HATED baths during both of my labors, although I usually love them. Good luck~

Answer 8

Hot baths are actually suppose to be avoided, not because of inducing labor, but because of the heat of the water causing your body temp to rise, which could be bad for the baby.

Answer 9

Sorry, no. Warm, not hot baths help reduce back pain and contraction pain though.

Answer 10

Not necessarily. Since you have lost your plug. I wouldn't recommend it. The plug is what keeps bacteria out so I would suggest warm showers if you are uncomfortable. It doesn't tend to induce labor though.