They can also help labor progress, especially in the early stages, when the contractions are irregular.

Moms who have given birth agree.

“I swam/walked in the water,” says What to Expect Community mom QuincysMama.

exercises to ‘induce’ labor, pregnant woman on birthing ball

“I went on daily morning walks for at least 30 minutes of walking …

I also bounced on my birthing ball every day a few times a day.

Here are some exercises to try at home just be sure to get your practitioners okay first.

exercises to ‘induce’ labor, pregnant woman on birthing ball

(What they wont do is actually start labor, though.)

They cant, however, trigger labor to actually start, she says.

Stand up straight with your back against the wall and your feet planted hip-width apart.

exercises to ‘induce’ labor, pregnant woman on birthing ball

Put your hands on the knees and, if youre able, press down on them gently.

This should help tone your pelvic muscles, which can help with labor, says Cohen.

Bonus: This one feels good.

exercises to ‘induce’ labor, pregnant woman on birthing ball

To try it, start from a standing position and step forward with your right foot.

Then bend your knee into a lunge and lift your arms and chin upward, toward the ceiling.

I recommend prenatal yoga to all my pregnant clients, Cohen says.

exercises to ‘induce’ labor, pregnant woman on birthing ball

The breath work is good practice for controlled labor breathing.

There is so much to love about prenatal yoga!

Doing squats before labor can do the same thing, although it wont induce contractions to begin.

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To a squat, stand with your feet slightly farther than hip-width apart.

says What to Expect Community mom dogs2baby111111.

Walking is a gentle, low-impact way to continue physical movement.

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Any physical activity can be helpful prep for labor and birth because theyre such physical processes.

One What to Expect Community mom says she relied heavily on walking and other exercises as delivery day neared.

“I did lots of walking and squats!!”

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Are any exercises dangerous during pregnancy?

see to it you stay well-hydrated during all physical activity.

With any luck, staying fit will mean a smoother delivery when the time comes.

Signs of Labor

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Signs of Labor

Signs of Labor

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exercises to ‘induce’ labor, pregnant woman on birthing ball

exercises to ‘induce’ labor, pregnant woman on birthing ball

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Signs of Labor

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play video

Top 1,000 Baby Girl Names in the U.S.

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Braxton Hicks Contractions and False Labor

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