When you go past your due date during pregnancy it can become tiring and stressful. Normally, at this point doctors will induce labor and get things going for you. There are natural ways to induce labor at home so you do not have to face the chemical induction which is administered through an IV in the hospital. Not only do you have to stay in the hospital to get this type of induction, but it can be quite painful as well. Inducing yourself naturally will not only alleviate the pain but will also keep you home longer.
There are several ways to induce labor, but it is important that you check with your doctor before trying any of these methods for the safety of your unborn child. You also want to be sure that you are at least 38 to 39 weeks pregnant and do not attempt to induce your labor before this time.
One of the most common natural ways to induce labor at home is through nipple stimulation. This basically releases a natural hormone called oxytocin which causes the uterus to contract. The synthetic version of oxytocin used in hospitals is called Pitocin and does the same thing. It is advised that you use this method under the care of a doctor or midwife as it tends to bring on some strong, fast contractions that can be quite effective.
Another method you can try to induce labor is to take a walk or do a few squats. This helps your baby to descend better and also helps to dilate your cervix. This method is more gradual and a safer way to induce labor at home.
Acupressure has been known as one of the natural ways to induce labor at home. It is a very simple method and very effective for overdue pregnancies. This type of remedy involves pressing on specific spots on your body. What it does is ripens the cervix and gets contractions going. There are many books on acupressure that will show you where exactly to press to trigger induction using this method.
Drinking red raspberry leaf tea or applying evening primrose oil directly to the cervix has been used to induce labor. These methods alone will not start contractions, but they do help to soften the cervix. You can also try eating fresh pineapple which as been known to produce similar results.
A few methods that have been successful in inducing labor but is not recommended or should at least be under the care of a doctor is taking herbs such as blue or black cohosh. Castor oil is another remedy but should not be used without your doctors approval. Some midwives and mothers swear by using castor oil to induce labor. This remedy although successful at times, is very uncomfortable as it causes long and painful episodes of diarrhea and cramping by irritating the smooth muscles of the intestine which results in contractions of the uterus. The contractions can become very intense and most of the time will lead into labor. Usually the mother will go into labor anywhere from 2 to 12 hours after drinking the oil.
Not only is castor oil not recommended because it can make the mother very sick, but it also can cause the baby to have its first bowel movement called meconium inside the womb. This can be very dangerous to the baby because if the baby inhales some of it, it can cause pneumonia in the lungs. That is why if you are going to try this method you should definitely consult with your doctor first and let him or her know that you are doing this.
There are many other natural ways to induce labor at home, however these are some of the most common methods. Remember, inducing labor before 38 weeks is not safe. It is understandable that you are tired and are eagerly awaiting your new baby, but be patient, your baby will get here when he or she is ready. You will be holding your new baby in your arms before you know it.
