[Submitted Question]

I really need some help! Baby was due five days ago but still doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to get here. My doctor now said that he will induce me if labor hasn’t started by next week. I really do not want to be induced as I have heard that it makes labor more painful. Are there any safe, natural ways to tell baby that it is TIME TO GET MOVING?

[WombToBloom]

Well, I’m a failure at that particular task to be honest. None of my babies ever got moving on their own. I was induced twice (I don’t think it made my labor more painful – I actually had two very smooth labor and deliveries) and had a c-section the third time. Nope, my babies were quite content. But there are a lot of suggestions out there for natural inducement.

You can take regular, long walks which will help move your baby down into your pelvis. You’ll probably kill me for saying this – but sex is supposed to help induce labor. I know, you’re ginormous and that baby is bearing down on your pelvis. But semen contains prostaglandins which can stimulate contractions.

As far as things to eat or drink, many women swear by castor oil. The general belief is that a few ounces of castor oil mixed with orange juice can cause spasm in the intestines which will then cause your uterus to contract. Or it could just cause you to throw up or have loose bowels.

Your doctor may offer to strip your membranes, where she swipes the amniotic membranes away from the lower part of the uterus. It feels like a regular vaginal exam. While this supposedly releases prostaglandins which can spark labor, I had it done in two pregnancies at 39 and 40 weeks because my cervix was not dilating. Didn’t work at all for me.

Lots of people claim that spicy food will spark contractions and labor. I used this tip as an excuse to eat a lot of chili-cheese coneys from Sonic in the last few weeks of my pregnancies! To no avail though.

There are also some herbs that are reported to induce labor. Talk to your doctor about these though. It’s my understanding that, due to different potencies, these have the chance of being somewhat harsh. Nipple stimulation is another natural way to induce labor that can be pretty intense. Some practitioners are concerned that the contractions caused by nipple stimulation are too long and strong for the fetal heart. So, talk to your doctor about these last two for sure.

[journeybirth]

5 days isn't that far overdue. A due date is just a guesstimate - term pregnancy is anywhere from 37 to 42 weeks. You can always refuse to be induced if baby is looking good - a non-stress test might ease any concerns you or your doctor have. Babies end up coming out - my third was over 42 weeks when she arrived!

[Chesapeake Birth]

Check out this site for labor induction cream. LaborBoost, Labor Balm : Labor Induction Naturally

[DoulaJamie]

Walk..Walk...Walk...try some stairs...and Walk Walk Walk...

Intercourse can even stimulate things too....the natural reaction of the uterus is to contract when a man places his sperm near the cervix.....so it tends to get things moving...(sorry to be so graphic)...

[Knoxville Doula]

There are also some acupressure points that you can gently massage. Try this site for great explanations: Pressure Points to Induce Labor: Pressure points that may help you to naturally induce your labor.. Walking, as mentioned, is an excellent method, plus it's good preparation for labor! You can try some nipple stimulation, but that generally needs to be quite rigorous. Sometimes just taking a relaxing evening does the trick, have your partner give you a nice massage, light some aromatherapy candles, listen to music and really try to relax.

Remember that a due date is just an estimation. Any methods of induction, natural or not are considered an intervention and have pros and cons to them. Hang in there, mama!

[InnerSerenity]

Originally Posted by DoulaJamie

Walk..Walk...Walk...try some stairs...and Walk Walk Walk...

Intercourse can even stimulate things too....the natural reaction of the uterus is to contract when a man places his sperm near the cervix.....so it tends to get things moving...(sorry to be so graphic)...

One reason intercourse with ejaculation is so beneficial is the high levels of Prostaglandins in semen. Prostaglandins are the hormone your body creates to ripen and dilate your cervix. While it would seem that direct application so to speak on your cervix would be best recent research has shown that orally ingesting semen is a better absorption route for your body to use the Prostaglandins....

[DoulaJamie]

Originally Posted by InnerSerenity

One reason intercourse with ejaculation is so beneficial is the high levels of Prostaglandins in semen. Prostaglandins are the hormone your body creates to ripen and dilate your cervix. While it would seem that direct application so to speak on your cervix would be best recent research has shown that orally ingesting semen is a better absorption route for your body to use the Prostaglandins....

Yes very true and we applaud any new research but I can frankly say that when I was pregnant I would have hit my husband if he even asked!!!...LOL....I'll stick with the old fashion way!!..LOL

[WombToBloom]

I was just going to type that men everywhere will thank you. As I saw on a Tweet once though...it only takes sperm, not sex.

[InnerSerenity]

I was just at a Midwifery conference a week ago and the presenter when mentioning this joked about how ever you get it, freeze it in a popsicle she gave as a suggestion. I can only say many laughs and head shaking met this suggestion