Towards the end of your pregnancy, you are ready to finally have your baby. You are eager for labor to start and you are watching the due date on the calendar. Inducing labor at home should not be attempted until you have reached your due date and you have discussed what you are planning to do with your obstetrician.

Inducing Labor at Home

Keep in mind that if your body is not ready to go into labor, trying to induce labor naturally will not be effective. Inducing labor is making your uterus have contractions. You may already be experiencing intermittent contractions. This might be a sign your body is close to going into labor. If you are having some contractions, walking can help speed things along. Standing upright helps gravity move the baby downward into the pelvis. Some women report walking helps with the pain of contractions. If it does not send you into labor at least you have achieved some exercise. According to the American Pregnancy Association, nipple stimulation is a natural way to induce labor. Nipple stimulation can be done manually or with a breast pump. The stimulation of the nipples releases a hormone called oxytocin which produces contractions. Some physicians do advise against nipple stimulation because it has been shown to cause excessively long and strong contractions that can result in fetal heart rate slowing. Always check with your physician before trying nipple stimulation. Sex is a way to try and induce your labor naturally at home. Semen contains prostaglandins which can help stimulate uterine contractions. Sex is safe as long as your membranes, otherwise known as your bag of water, has not broken. Spicy food has been rumored to help start labor. If you try spicy food and you go into labor with a full stomach, you may vomit. Castor oil has been used for decades by women trying to induce labor at home. Castor oil is a laxative and will cause you to empty your bowels and can also cause severe abdominal cramping. The spasms of the intestines during this cramping is what is thought to cause the uterus to start contracting. Before taking castor oil, always check with your health care provider to see if he recommends and approves of this method. An acupressure point may help stimulate labor as well. Spleen 6 is located on the inside of your ankle. Take your finger and measure approximately four finger widths directly above your ankle. Apply gentle pressure on the spot for one minute. You will know if the spot is correct after several times if it starts to feel tender.

Considerations

According to the Mayo Clinic, nipple stimulation will not work unless your cervix is ready to open for labor to begin. The Mayo Clinic also states that all other forms of trying to induce labor at home have not been scientifically proven. However, as long as you discuss what types of labor inducing methods you are planning to try at home with your doctor, and your doctor approves, hopefully one of the home methods will achieve active labor for you.

Source:

DrSpock.com inducing labor naturally

American Pregnancy Association inducing labor

Mayo Clinic inducing labor