As part of celebrating her first daughter Lilibet’s birthday, Meghan Markle shared a personal, joy-filled moment on Instagram – a video clip of her dancing with Prince Harry just before going into labour. Dressed casually, grinning ear to ear, it was a rare insight into the couple’s private life on the cusp of a life-changing moment. But it also sparked a familiar question: can dancing actually induce labour?
As a nutritionist with a deep interest in holistic health, I was fascinated. While many of us in the wellness world embrace movement, mindful practices, and nourishing foods as part of a broader picture of pregnancy health, it’s important to separate the supportive from the scientific, and the joyful from the just-so stories.
So, can you really shimmy (or in Meghan’s case, twerk) your way into labour? Or is dancing more of an emotional release than a physiological catalyst?
Moving towards labour – or just moving?
The idea that movement – particularly gentle, rhythmic, or pelvic-opening movement – can help “bring on” labour has long circulated in antenatal circles. But does it actually work?
“Absolutely – in fact, movement and upright positioning during the early stages of labour are incredibly beneficial,” says Tianna Jarrett-Williams, a registered midwife at the Midwife-Led Unit at Good Hope Hospital. “Gravity plays a crucial role. Movement helps the baby descend into the pelvis, increasing pressure on the cervix, which can encourage stronger contractions, promote cervical dilation, and potentially shorten the duration of labour overall.”
Still, she warns care away from tempering expectations: “There isn’t a wealth of robust evidence supporting non-medical methods to ‘induce’ labour, and we need to remember that every pregnancy is unique. The term ‘natural induction’ suggests labour is something we need to force, when in most cases, the body simply needs to be supported in doing what it’s already preparing to do.”
So how do midwives assess whether the body is edging towards spontaneous labour?
“We look for signs that indicate the body is preparing – what we refer to as the latent phase,” she explains. “This can begin days or even weeks before active labour starts. Common indicators include a sense of increasing pelvic pressure as the baby settles into a more optimal position, lower back pain, often more persistent or intense and a pattern of irregular contractions that may start and stop over time. These are all entirely normal, especially for first-time mothers.”
“There’s a wide range of ‘normal’ at this point in pregnancy,” says Jarrett-Williams. “But one thing we always advise is to monitor your baby’s movements. Any noticeable reduction or change in pattern should always be reported to your maternity unit without delay.”
The joy hormone we should be talking about
What may matter more than the movement itself is the feeling that accompanies it. Dancing releases oxytocin – the hormone responsible for bonding, affection, and, importantly, contractions. It’s the same hormone released during intimacy, skin-to-skin contact, laughter, and notably, after a woman has sex. This natural boost of oxytocin fosters connection and calm, two emotional states that are deeply supportive as the body gears up for labour.
From a hypnobirthing perspective, this emotional readiness is key. “Oxytocin is the petrol of labour,” explains Elise Tobias, resident hypnobirthing coach at The Portland Hospital. “But it only flows when we feel safe, relaxed, and emotionally supported. That’s why anything that brings rhythm, ritual, and joy, like dancing can be so effective. Elise often describes movement in labour as “instinctive,” noting that undisturbed women will naturally begin to sway, circle, or rock. “These motions aren’t random – they help optimise baby’s positioning and keep labour progressing. Plus, they trigger that powerful hormonal cascade we need for birth to unfold smoothly.”
Dancing in labour may also act as a form of active meditation. “It ticks all the boxes of what I call the ‘Three R’s’ of physiological birth: rhythm, ritual, and relaxation,” says Elise. “That’s what lets women drop into a theta brainwave state – similar to deep meditation, where their body can birth most efficiently.”
So whether it’s a dance, a cuddle, or a laugh, anything that increases oxytocin and reduces fear is worth celebrating.
Food, Folklore and Fact
From pineapple and spicy curries to raspberry leaf tea and dates, so-called “labour-inducing” foods have long been a topic of interest among expectant parents. Interestingly, many of these same foods are also used to support menstruation, as they may help encourage the natural shedding of the uterine lining. But when it comes to labour, how much of this is rooted in science?
“Some foods and nutrients can support the body’s readiness,” explains Jen Walpole, BANT-Registered Nutritionist and resident expert at Bliss Clinic in Chelsea. “Raspberry leaf tea may help tone the uterus, and studies suggest dates could support cervical ripening and spontaneous labour though they’re not for everyone, especially those managing gestational diabetes.”
Omega-3s (from oily fish or algae) can support prostaglandin production, key for uterine contractions though Jen recommends pausing supplements about a week before birth due to blood-thinning effects.
One simple but often overlooked strategy? Hydration. “Staying well-hydrated and maintaining electrolyte balance supports uterine muscle function and may help reduce cramping,” says Jen. Her go-to recipe includes:
2 cups coconut water, 1 cup water, juice of 1 lemon and 1 lime, 1 tbsp honey, and a pinch of Himalayan salt. Jen also recommends choosing low-sodium electrolyte supplements, such as BodyBio E-Lyte, to support hydration without excessive salt intake.
Ultimately, it’s not about a one-off curry or a handful of dates. The real magic lies in consistent nourishment, hormone balance, and lowering stress in the final weeks.
Reflexology and Natural Support
Outside the kitchen, many women turn to complementary therapies like reflexology to encourage their bodies to get ready for birth. Targeted pressure points on the feet are said to correspond with reproductive organs and energy pathways but while the idea of “inducing” labour this way may sound appealing, the terminology needs clarifying.
“Induction is a medical term,” explains Karen Hooton of Moonbeam Therapies, a reflexologist who has been supporting pregnant women for over 20 years. “Reflexology can’t induce labour, but it can help the body prepare by lowering stress levels and supporting relaxation. Nature wants a baby to be born into a safe environment – not one that’s in a fight-or-flight response.”
Karen also notes that this drop in stress can support other key aspects of late pregnancy wellbeing. “Lowering stress levels can reduce blood pressure, which often rises at the end of pregnancy. Reflexology also encourages circulation and lymphatic return, helping ease the swelling many women experience in their feet and hands.”
“I often instruct women to work the pituitary point on their thumbs,” Karen says. “Partners can support by working points like bladder 60 behind the ankle, spleen 6 on the lower leg, and the uterus point on the inner ankle – where you can often see the baby bump moving with the touch. Working the hip reflexes can also help open up the hip flexors, making things more comfortable for the birth process.”
While more research is needed to understand reflexology’s exact role in birth preparation, its ability to promote nervous system regulation, circulation and a sense of calm make it a valuable tool in a holistic approach to late pregnancy.
Dancing as memory-making
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from Meghan’s video isn’t whether it worked to induce labour, but what it represents: a couple, moving in sync, sharing joy and intimacy in a liminal moment between pregnancy and parenthood.
“Dancing or movement during early labour can have several psychological and physiological benefits,” explains doula Hannah from Blissful Birth. “Staying upright and gently active can help your baby move down into your pelvis and help your cervix dilate, which can make the labour process easier. It can also reduce pain, improve mood, increase energy, and support better coping mechanisms.”
But the emotional layer of that moment is just as powerful. “When individuals feel empowered to express themselves and experience joy,” Hannah adds, “it enhances emotional wellbeing, reduces stress and anxiety, and increases feelings of control. That sense of autonomy is so important – it helps someone feel more confident and empowered to make decisions about their care.”
Dancing can also serve as a grounding practice. “Rhythmic movement can act like a body-based form of hypnosis,” she says. “It distracts from pain, encourages relaxation, and when combined with breathwork, it can reduce anxiety and help the individual feel more centred and calm.”
Too often, the final weeks of pregnancy are framed around anxiety of time running out, or labour not starting “on time.” What if, instead, we leaned into joy, movement, and emotional connection? Not as a tactic, but as a way of making space for presence, pleasure, and shared memory.
Bringing it all together before birth
There’s no harm in dancing, or laughing, or eating spicy food as long as it’s safe and done without expectation. Labour will begin when the body is ready. But creating space for joy, connection, and trust in that process? That might be the most powerful preparation of all.
So if you’re in those final days and feel the urge to turn up the music and move with someone you love, go for it. If nothing else, you’ll create a memory.
words by Eleanor Hoath
