Using ASMR for labour

You’ve probably tried all the spicy food, herbal teas, and essential oils on earth. But lowe and behold, that baby isn’t ready to budge. The truth is, the main thing that has been proven to stimulate labour is oxytocin, this “love hormone” is often used synthetically for inductions. That’s why if you’re struggling to get things moving, your midwife or health practitioner is likely to recommend you try sex as a remedy for getting things going. 

But let’s be honest, at 9+ months pregnant, you might not be feeling super spicy. It’s hard to muster up the energy to move from the sofa to the fridge sometimes, never mind get hot and heavy multiple times a day.

There are plenty of other ways to increase your oxytocin release - but something tells me, if you’re not in the mood to get it on, you’re likely not feeling some light exercise either. 

ASMR is a great way to stimulate oxytocin, the key hormone that gets contractions going while getting your well-needed pre-labour rest in. 

ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. In short, the sounds you hear in an ASMR video send waves of tingly relaxation throughout your body and stimulate the production of good hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, and of course, good old oxytocin!

If you’re not quite at full term just yet, don’t worry, there are no studies that have found anything that indicates ASMR has any ability to encourage early labour. At the end of the day, labour will start when your body is ready, oxytocin merely moves things along once your body is ready to do so. It’s no more dangerous than having sex at other points in your pregnancy. 

If you’re already experiencing early labour symptoms such as Braxton Hicks, dilating or your mucus plug coming away, a great combo for moving things along is listening to some ASMR and staying on the move. ASMR can help keep your oxytocin levels topped up, while simple movements such as swaying your hips (pelvic rocking) or bouncing on a pregnancy ball can help guide your baby further into the pelvis. 

As well as using ASMR as an oxytocin stimulant to get labour going, it can also soothe your mind of the natural worries that come up while you prepare for birth. Understandably, there’s a lot going on in your mind when your due date is approaching, so having something to turn to that keeps you topped up with the food feelings is crucial - whether that’s ASMR, mindfulness or your favourite hobbies.