How to Induce Labor Naturally?

After nine months of pregnancy, it is natural to start feeling anxious as the end draws near. But if it is past the anticipated due date, these feelings may grow stronger. Especially, if your doctor wants to induce your labor because you might have gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, your baby is getting too big or your pregnancy is more than a week overdue, you are most probably interested in how to induce labor.

Despite modern techniques, medical labor induction still introduces considerable risk compared with natural onset of labor. According to the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services first-time mothers have more than twice the likelihood of Cesarean section with induction compared with labor that starts naturally. This risk is due to the procedure itself, not any reason that might have led to inducing labor.

If the cervix is not ready for labor, labor induction medication may increase woman's chance of Cesarean section five-fold, even if cervical ripening agents are administered

Additionally, medical labor induction typically involves the need for other interventions, such as IV drip, continuous electronic fetal monitoring, and usually confinement to bed that also can have adverse effects.

Some feel the waiting for the baby after the estimated due date is unbearable and they will listen to anyone's suggestion on how to induce labor naturally. No matter how uncomfortable or uneasy you may be feeling, you don't want to try just anything; you want to make sure it will be safe. Unfortunately, many old wives tales can actually be harmful so it is important to consider all factors when trying to induce labor.

One of the natural labor inducing methods is nipple stimulation. Nipple stimulation releases hormone called natural Oxytocin. It's good to note, however, that nipple stimulation has to be done correctly according to reliable instructions because it can lead to very strong uterine contractions if done too frequently.

In order to release Oxytocin by nipple stimulation, massage your nipples by rolling them between your thumbs and forefingers for 2 minutes. Then rest for 3 minutes. Repeat rolling and resting for 20 minutes. This usually gets the labor contractions to start. Remember that you should use nipple stimulation to induce your labor only if your cervix has already effacated.

One of the old-wives tales is that you could induce your labor by cleaning your household. Interestingly, cleaning your home could actually help your labor to start in various ways.

Firstly, cleaning requires you to walk, bend, squat, be on all fours and stand. Certain positions and changing them do play a role in helping the baby to get into an optimal birthing position. Especially squatting, in addition to helping your baby to descent into the birth canal, opens up the pelvic area, and stretches your muscles on the pelvic area and inner thighs, and relaxes your lower back.

Another way cleaning can induce labor with is lifting things while cleaning. Lifting items will increase the pressure in your thoracic and abdominal cavities. This could stimulate the uterus. Many women have reported that their labor contractions started after they had lifted something. Please note that you should never try to lift anything that is too heavy, or you might hurt yourself.

Finally, cleaning could help you to relax. Tension is known to hold back labor from starting. Doing something meaningful that brings you results instead of just waiting keeps your thoughts away from the hours that separate you from having your baby on your arms.

Acupressure has been proven to be an effective way to induce labor. Acupressure can be used to induce labor even before the cervix has not dilated due to the fact that acupressure helps cervix to dilate.

Acupressure means applying pressure on specific spots on your body with fingertips. These acupressure points inducing labor can be found on shoulders, hands, lower legs and ankles. You could find an acupressure specialist to apply acupressure to induce labor.

On the other hand, because acupressure techniques are simple, you or your partner could stimulate these acupressure points to induce labor your self at home. Treat the points known to stimulate labor by pressing them and massaging them with small circular motion for 1-5 minutes few times a day.

To discover more about how to induce labor with acupressure, please visit www.MaternityAcupressure.com . Maternity Acupressure techniques have helped thousands of mothers to conclude they overdue pregnancy and to induce labor naturally at home.