At 37 weeks, your pregnancy is classified as “early term,” not full term, and most medical guidelines recommend against elective induction before 39 weeks. That distinction matters more than it might seem. While the urge to meet your baby is completely understandable, especially if you’re uncomfortable, knowing what’s safe, what actually works, and what’s worth waiting for can help you make the best decision for both of you.
Why 37 Weeks Is Earlier Than You Think
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is clear on this point: when a woman and her baby are healthy, induction should not happen before 39 weeks. Babies born at or after 39 weeks have the best chance at healthy outcomes. Induction before 39 weeks is recommended only when the health of the mother or baby is at risk.
The difference between 37 and 39 weeks isn’t trivial. Babies born early term are roughly twice as likely to need respiratory support compared to those born at full term (13.2% versus 6.8% in one cohort study). They also have lower rates of exclusive breastfeeding, are more likely to be readmitted for respiratory infections, and experience greater weight loss after birth. Longer term, early-term birth has been linked to higher rates of breathing-related hospitalizations through childhood and adolescence, along with minor learning difficulties and cognitive differences.
None of this means a baby born at 37 weeks will have problems. Most do fine. But the extra two weeks allow significant lung maturation and brain development, which is why the 39-week guideline exists.
When Earlier Delivery Is Medically Justified
There are real medical reasons your provider might recommend induction at 37 weeks: preeclampsia, gestational diabetes that’s difficult to control, low amniotic fluid, placental problems, or concerns about fetal growth. In these situations, the risks of continuing the pregnancy outweigh the risks of early delivery. If your provider has suggested induction at 37 weeks, it’s worth asking specifically what medical indication they’re responding to, so you understand the reasoning.
Your cervix also plays a role in how likely induction is to succeed. Providers use a scoring system that evaluates five things: how dilated your cervix is, how thin it’s become (effacement), how soft it feels, its position, and how far down the baby’s head has dropped into your pelvis. A score of 8 or higher generally signals that induction will go smoothly. A low score doesn’t mean induction can’t work, but it may take longer and is more likely to require additional interventions.
What the Evidence Says About Natural Methods
If you’re set on encouraging labor to start on its own, a few approaches have at least some research behind them. None are guaranteed, and most work best when your body is already close to being ready.
Nipple Stimulation
This is one of the better-studied natural methods. Stimulating the nipples triggers your body to release oxytocin, the same hormone that drives labor contractions. But the oxytocin your body produces works differently than the synthetic version given through an IV. Natural oxytocin is released both into your bloodstream and directly within the brain, where it reduces pain and stress, boosts your body’s natural pain-relieving chemicals, and promotes bonding after birth. Synthetic oxytocin doesn’t cross into the brain, so it only causes contractions without those additional effects.
In studies of women whose water had already broken, nipple stimulation increased contraction frequency in 69 to 100% of cases when practiced throughout labor. When limited to 30 to 60 minutes, it helped 35 to 50% of women increase contractions or cervical dilation. The method was most effective when practiced for over an hour, with a median time of about 100 minutes to see increased contraction frequency. Two hours of stimulation can produce contractions comparable to what synthetic oxytocin achieves.
Date Fruit Consumption
Eating dates in late pregnancy has a surprisingly solid evidence base. A meta-analysis of 11 studies found that regular date consumption significantly shortened the first stage of labor by about 50 minutes, increased how dilated women were when they arrived at the hospital, and modestly reduced overall gestation duration. Most studies used around 6 to 7 dates per day (roughly 60 to 80 grams), typically starting at 36 or 37 weeks. The mechanism isn’t fully understood, but dates contain compounds that may mimic the effects of oxytocin on uterine muscle.
Sexual Intercourse
Semen contains one of the highest natural concentrations of prostaglandins, the same type of hormone-like substance used in medical cervical ripening agents. Orgasm also triggers oxytocin release, and physical stimulation of the lower uterus may play a role. In theory, this should help. In practice, the evidence is thin. A Cochrane review found only one small study of 28 women, and cervical scores didn’t differ meaningfully between those who had intercourse and those who didn’t. It’s unlikely to cause harm in an uncomplicated pregnancy with intact membranes, but calling it effective would overstate the evidence.
Castor Oil
Castor oil works by stimulating intestinal activity. Once digested, it breaks down into a compound that binds to the same receptors as prostaglandins in smooth muscle tissue, promoting prostaglandin production. Large retrospective studies have found no significant differences in cesarean rates, instrumental deliveries, meconium-stained fluid, or low newborn scores between castor oil and placebo groups, which is reassuring from a safety standpoint. The main side effects are diarrhea and nausea, which can be significant enough to leave you dehydrated and exhausted before labor even starts.
Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil, taken orally or applied vaginally, has shown a significant effect on cervical ripening scores in a meta-analysis. Vaginal application appears to be more effective than oral use. However, at least one study reported associations between oral evening primrose oil and prolonged rupture of membranes, a longer active phase, and higher rates of needing vacuum-assisted delivery. The evidence is mixed enough that you should discuss it with your provider before using it.
Movement and Positioning
Walking, lunging, and asymmetric movements like curb walking (one foot on the curb, the other on the street) are popular recommendations. The idea behind curb walking is that the uneven stride shifts your pelvis side to side, potentially helping the baby drop deeper and rotate into a better position for birth. The Miles Circuit, a series of positions including hands-and-knees stretching, side-lying, and upright asymmetric movements done over about 90 minutes, follows similar logic.
There’s no hard evidence that any of these movements trigger labor to start. What they can realistically do is help your baby engage more deeply in your pelvis and find a more favorable position, which may make labor more efficient once it does begin. Staying upright and active also uses gravity to your advantage. Even if it doesn’t start contractions, regular walking and movement in late pregnancy helps with discomfort and keeps your body prepared.
How to Tell If Something Is Actually Working
If you try any of these methods, knowing the difference between real labor and a false alarm saves you an unnecessary trip to the hospital. True labor contractions come at regular intervals and form a pattern. Over time, they get closer together and stronger, and each one lasts about 60 to 90 seconds. False labor contractions tend to be irregular, stay mild, and often stop when you rest or drink water.
A practical test: time your contractions and then lie down and hydrate. If the contractions go away, they aren’t true labor. If they keep coming, get stronger, and settle into a rhythm, that’s the real thing.
The Case for Patience at 37 Weeks
Every week between 37 and 39 brings measurable benefits for your baby’s lungs, brain, and ability to feed. If you and your baby are healthy, the most effective thing you can do at 37 weeks is prepare your body rather than push for delivery. Eating dates, staying active, and practicing nipple stimulation are low-risk ways to encourage your body’s readiness without forcing a timeline. Your cervix may already be softening and thinning without you feeling it, and when your body and baby are truly ready, labor is more likely to progress smoothly with fewer interventions.