Can cleaning your home really induce labor? Although sounds like a a myth, there are several truths to the old wives tale. As your due date approaches you may suddenly feel a burst of energy. This is caused by a hormone change in your body; it occurs right before labor begins. With this extra energy, you may feel the need to prepare your home for your baby’s arrival. This is called nesting ; it is not uncommon and humans are not the only mammals that do this. While you are busy cleaning everything you can get your hands on, the extra exercise may actually help your contractions to start. Therefore, cleaning may induce labor!

First, it should be said that pregnant women should always exercise care when cleaning their homes. It is true that the housework needs to be done and you don’t want to ignore the baby preparations, but keep in mind that injuries may happen while doing housework; such a muscle strains. One of the most common accidents that may occur is slipping on wet floors, so always take your time and use caution when cleaning while pregnant. Many women may find that during the latter parts of their pregnancy, they are simply too tired to exercise. However, when you experience a sudden burst of energy during the nesting phase you’ll find that house cleaning is a good practical approach to remain physically active and stay fit once you use caution and don’t overexert yourself.

Cleaning your home can help your labor to start is various ways. First, cleaning requires you to walk, bend, squat, be on all fours and stand. Certain positions and changing them do play a role in helping the baby to get into an optimal birthing position. Especially squatting helps the baby to descend into the birth canal. On the other hand, if your baby is in breech, you should not squat, but spend time on all fours. This position gives the baby more space to turn before the labor starts.

Whether you are picking things off of the floor or putting clothes in bottom drawers, it is always important to remember that you should never bend over from your waist when pregnant. Always bend at the knees or get down and crawl. Bending over from your waist will put unnecessary stress and strain on your back and can result in back pain. If you need to pick things up from off of the floor, squat down first. Squatting, in addition to helping your baby to descent, opens up the pelvic area, and stretches your muscles on the pelvic area and inner thighs, and relaxes your lower back. This will prevent you from pulling back muscles and helps encourage the baby to move headfirst into the birth canal.

Another way cleaning can induce labor, is lifting things while cleaning; when you lift something, pressure in your thoracic and abdominal cavity increases. The uterus may be stimulated. Many women have reported that their labor contractions started after they had lifted something. Again, you should never try to lift anything that is too heavy, or you might hurt yourself.

Finally, cleaning could help you to relax. It is common knowledge that tension may prevent labor from beginning. Doing something meaningful that brings you results, instead of just waiting, keeps your thoughts away from the hours that separate you from having your baby in your arms. Additionally, light physical exercise is one of the best cures for stress, anxiety and tension.