The majority of expecting women will go into labor between their 37th and 42nd week of pregnancy. However, when the pressure of a growing belly, compromised health conditions, and a grossly overdue date come into play – a mother and her doctor may wish to induce labor. If you’re not interested in achieving this goal through prescription drug methods, consider using home remedies for inducing labor.

Why Induce Labor?

For a pregnant mother, the threats of delivery complications and increased risk of suffering a stillbirth increase after 42 weeks. About 1 in 1,000 babies are subject to this fate [1]. While ultrasounds let parents know that everything is going according to plan, the movement of your baby serves as an at-home indicator. Count the number of movements felt throughout the day – the more movement, the better. Inducing labor also relieves uncomfortable pregnancies, when the physical strain becomes too much to bear for a mother.

Inducing Labor Home Remedies

When it comes to inducing labor, every body is different. What works for one woman will not necessary bring results for the next. While some mothers swear by a meal filled with spicy foods, others claim that pineapple has helped induce labor. Keep in mind that the following home remedies for inducing labor may or may not coax your little one to make a guest appearance:

a) Get Moving:

Going for a walk or climbing a flight of stairs may help hurry along the labor process by applying a bit of pressure on the cervix by shifting the weight of your baby’s head . Moving around can also help create better baby positioning for labor.

b)Sexual Intercourse:

One of the most natural methods of inducing labor is to have sex. The act releases a hormone called oxytocin, which encourages uterine contractions. Semen also contains a substance called prostaglandins, which contributes to the softening of the cervix and induces labor [2].

c)Nipple Stimulation:

Stimulating the nipples has proven to induce labor in the same manner as sexual intercourse, as it releases oxytoxin. However, keep in mind that this method takes much longer than sex to take effect. Some women have even successfully used a breast pump to speed up the process.

d) Stretching:

Increase your chances of inducing labor by stretching to expand uterine membranes. Some women have experienced labor within 48 hours after using this technique.

e) Destress:

It doesn’t matter what you try for inducing labor, if you are not free of stress and relaxed – nothing will work. Listen to soothing music, flip through your favorite magazine, or take a warm bath.

f) Massage:

The body is full of trigger points, which one can target to stimulate labor. Massage also helps reduce stress levels, which can make the overall process much easier.

g) Acupressure:

Read up on maternity acupressure and how you can effectively apply pressure with your fingers and thumbs to sensitive points on the body to induce labor. It is important that you do not confuse this remedy with acupuncture, which uses needles to treat medical issues.

[1] http://www.pregnancy-info.net/labor_inducing_labor.html
[2] http://www.webmd.com/baby/features/babys-coming-when?page=1