Pregnancy is all fun and games until you hit the last trimester. You’re large, tired and just plain ready to have the baby. As the big day draws near, some moms are willing to do anything to move the process along — including eating at restaurants that serve food rumored to send them into labor. From a pizza in California to an eggplant parmesan in Georgia, here are five menu items that people say may accelerate those contractions.

Eggplant Parm at Scalinis in Cobb County, Georgia
So many women swear by this dish, that the restaurant has a whole web page dedicated to its magical labor-inducing powers. The owner says that, to date, more than 300 of the pregnant customers who ordered the eggplant have given birth within 48 hours, and the restaurant dubs them the “eggplant babies.” Maybe it’s the cheese. Maybe it’s the garlic-y sauce. Either way, something is working.

Scalini’s
2390 Cobb Pkwy.
Smyrna, Georgia
770-952-7222
Online: scalinis.com

Maternity Salad at Ciaoti Pizza Cafe in Studio City, California
If you live in the Los Angeles area, you probably know a woman or two who went to Ciaoti in hopes of kick-starting labor with a dish called the Maternity Salad. So what’s in this green mix? It’s a simple combo of romaine lettuce, watercress, walnuts, Gorgonzola and balsamic vinaigrette. The restaurant now bottles and sells the salad dressing in individual bottles or by the case in-store.

Ciaoti Pizza Cafe
4346 Tujunga Ave.
Studio City, California
818-761-3588
Online: maternitysalad.com

Prego Pizza at Skipolini’s in Clayton, California
This pie is for mamas that are ready to push. It has 13 different toppings, including fresh vegetables and six types of meat. Oh, and let’s not forget extra onions and garlic. Its success has been documented in Pizza Today and Gourmet magazines and, legend has it, if you eat the pizza for lunch you’ll go into labor that evening.

Skipolini’s
1033 Diablo St
.
Clayton, California
925-672-1111
There are an additional five locations in California, click here for details.
Online: skipolinispizza.com

Shrimp Quesadilla at Las Margaritas in Gainesville, Florida
Spicy shrimp, sharp cheddar cheese and veggies piled into a soft flour tortilla were enough to send one woman (who was well past her due date) into labor. Now local mamas swear by this dish and recommend it to anyone who wants to speed along Mother Nature. Don’t forget a side of rice and beans!

Las Margaritas
4405 NW 39th Ave.
Gainesville, Florida
352-374-6699
Online: lasmargaritasgnv.com

Lemon Drop Cupcake at Cappellino’s Crazy Cakes in Charlottesville, Virginia
The owner of Cappellino’s says that the fresh lemon juice and zest in this tangy cupcake are what does the trick. It’s rumored that more than 150 babies have been born as a result of their mom eating the treat — a delicious lemon pound cake with butter cream frosting. The demand is so high that the shop now ships them all over the nation.

Cappellinos Crazy Cakes
103 3rd St. N.E.
Charlottesville, Virginia
434-293-2964
Online: cappellinoscrazycakes.com

Moms, what was the last meal you ate before going into labor? Tell us in the Comments below.

— Christina Fiedler

 

Ciaoti photo courtesy of Yelp user Amy C., Prego pizza photo courtesy of Yelp user Crystal A., Scalini’s photo courtesy of Yelp user Angela M. Las Margaritas photo courtesy of Yelp user StripMallGourmet, Capellinos Crazy Cake photo courtesy of Yelp user Pitiya L.

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