How To Induce Labor

The first question I always get asked is... can you actually induce labor?
The answer is a short and simple "yes". For women who have met and exceeded at least the thirty eighth week of pregnancy, natural labor induction methods may be something you want to consider.

HOWEVER

If you are pregnant and have considered natural strategies to get labor going it is important that you avoid the strategies mentioned here prior to your thirty eight week and prior to discussing this with a doctor. If you attempt to do this too early, or against a doctor's orders you may find that you put yourself and your child into danger.

One of the first things that you can do to induce labor naturally is relax. It has been found that when the body is tense and experiencing a lot of stress that the body interprets this as an unfit time of allowing labor to be started. There are many different methods in which you can achieve relaxation. Many women choose to relax in a warm bubble bath, while other women prefer to choose a professional massage or some other type of relaxation service. Aromatherapy, listening to relaxing music in candlelight, meditation, yoga and acupressure are examples of ways that you can achieve relaxation in the body when you are trying to achieve natural labor induction.

Many individuals have successfully induced labor naturally by having sexual intercourse with their partner. Medical evidence supports the fact that there are prostaglandins in semen. This particular hormone has been identified as one of the major contributors when it comes to labor induction. If you want to have sex with your partner for the purpose of inducing labor, it is important to ensure that you elevate the hips immediately after so that this hormone can reach the cervix and begin the thinning process. If you find that you are feeling up to actual intercourse, there are many other ways that the body can be aroused in such a way that it prepares for labor. Consider the following:

1. If you experience an orgasm, it may assist in opening up the cervix in preparation for labor.

2. Stimulation of the nipples has been found to release a chemical called "oxytocin". This can help prepare the body for labor naturally. Stimulation of the breast should only done after consulting the advice of your doctor or midwife.

3. Placing warmth and/or something on the breast in order to stimulate them outside of human touch can have the same effect as stimulation of the breasts by a partner when it comes to releasing oxytocin in the body.

Many women have found that they are able to successfully induce labor by engaging in several different types of exercises. You may choose to do something as simple as walking around a local park and swinging on a child's swing in order to induce labor. Great fun, and a good way to destress and relax also. You may be one of those women who are quite comfortable riding on a stationary exercise bike gently. The most important thing that you will want to do when exercising to induce labor is to ensure that you do not strain yourself physically, and that you keep the body in a position that is upright. This will ensure that the cervix is appropriately alerted to dilate for labor. Remember, it is important to avoid overexerting yourself physically. You may be ready to have the baby, but pushing the body too hard can result in many complications that may endanger your health and the health of your unborn child.

Many women do not realize it, but there are certain foods that can be consumed in the later stages of pregnancy that may assist in the onset of labor. These foods are effective because of the simple fact that they actually contain an enzyme that may help tone your cervix. If you ingest foods such as those fruits that are tropical in nature, like pineapple, kiwi and mango, you may find that you start to experience contractions quickly. This enzyme plays a special role in reaching the cervix and then contracting it in preparation for the delivery of the baby. Other diet considerations may include foods that contain spices, and teas that are created from herbal ingredients.