Remember that it is only acceptable to induce labor after your due date. The natural methods given here are not to be tried before 40 weeks of pregnancy as your baby could be born too early and have problems. It is also a good idea to let your midwife or doctor know that you want to try inducing naturally.

Sex is one method of inducing labor that has worked for many couples. The semen contains prostaglandins, a hormone which can help start labor. This hormone is naturally produced by the woman’s body in order to begin the labor process and adding in a little extra can’t hurt!

Nipple stimulation is a good way to get your uterus contracting, but be aware that it can also cause very intense contractions. Daily stimulation at the end of a pregnancy can stimulate the onset of labor, sometimes in as little as 20-30 minutes, but it depends on the woman. You may manually manipulate the nipples (or have your partner do it) or apply a hot compress. Both methods help release oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract. Nipple stimulation is often used in combination with other natural methods.

Another tried and true method of inducing labor involves walking. While it can be a bit boring just pacing around your house, it’s not a good idea to go for a hike in the local wildlife park unless you have company. If your contractions start far from home and you are alone, you could be in trouble, so take a walking partner with you. This method requires more than just a jaunt around the block, so be prepared to trudge a few miles at least. This isn’t a very good method if you are suffering from hip or pelvic pains.

Some people swear by having a little chat with your unborn child. Since it is now known that the baby is the one who releases the first hormones in the domino effect that triggers labor, letting him know that you’re ready might do the trick. Have your partner do some of the talking too and you won’t feel quite so silly!

In addition to physical things like walking and sex, you might also want to try eating or drinking your way into labor. Certain teas and foods are supposed to help stimulate labor and have been used for centuries. A good example is raspberry leaf tea, given to many women as they near the end of their pregnancy. It is supposed to make the labor easier, as well, and who doesn’t want that?

Labor is never much fun, but if you have control over when it starts, you might be able to better handle the pain. As well, it will be less intense if stimulated naturally than if your doctor prescribes a stronger method such as oxytocin in the hospital.

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Nipple stimulation makes the body begin producing oxytocin. The main reason for this is after delivery. When a baby nurses on it’s mother’s breast, the stimulation causes her uterus to contract and shrink back down to it’s normal size. Many women use this natural phenomenon to stimulate contractions BEFORE their baby is born.

There are a couple downfalls to nipple stimulation: nipple pain, and intense contractions. Nipple stimulation for labor induction is not a gentle thing. You either have to manually tug at your nipples for a couple hours or use a breast pump. Either way, your nipples will be red and swollen afterward. If, by chance, the nipple stimulation works, extra oxytocin in body caused by the stimulation will cause the woman to have much more intense contractions. If you have ever been put on pitocin to augment your labor, the intensity is similar to extra oxytocin in your system. A more painful labor is not good for the mother’s psyche or body.

I may sound completely against nipple stimulation, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t try it with my first child. Unfortunately, or fortunately (however you want to look at it), the nipple stimulation did not work for me. I did experience regular contractions, but only while I continually stimulated my nipples. Once I stopped, the contractions. would stop. it just goes to show, the female body will go into labor when it is ready and not a moment sooner.

If you feel like you can’t be pregnant any longer, talk to your doctor. Maybe he/she will induce your labor in a hospital or under the supervision of a professional with pitocin. At least this way you have easy access to an epidural and don’t have red, swollen nipples. As desperate as you may be, try to stay away from nipple stimulation induction.

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3. The Use of Raspberry Leaf Tea During Pregnancy