How to Induce Labor the Natural Way

23 Feb, 2010

How to Induce Labor the Natural Way

Posted by: Sally In: General

Pregnancy can be the most exciting and at the same time, painful part of a woman’s life. This is mainly because of one thing: labor. Labor is equal to pain, and no pregnancy becomes successful without having to go through the most excruciating pain you can imagine. For those who have not yet experienced getting pregnant, labor is similar to having cramps when your period is almost up, except imagine the pain as ten times more intense! There would be times that when you experience the pain, you would need to stop doing whatever you’re doing for a few minutes and let the pain come in heaps; however, you should just remember that no amount of pain can ever replace the bundle of joy that you’re about to experience once your little one has finally been born.

Inducing labor the natural way is what most pregnant women would prefer especially if they are experiencing false labor or if they are not experiencing labor yet at all even during their baby’s 37th to 40th gestational week. There are natural ways which make use of things that can be bought in your local grocery store. Castor oil has been said to induce labor naturally by stimulating the bowels and triggering contractions in the uterus. Use castor oil by eating or drinking one large glass of orange juice containing castor oil or using it to rub the belly gently. Because the effect of castor oil can somehow aggravate the uterus into having contractions, this is not very advisable unless you check with your physician first before trying this method.

Natural herbal ingredients are also said to have some effect at inducing labor naturally. Evening primrose oil is usually recommended by midwives to be taken orally during the 34th gestational week, and then applied to the cervix during the full-term or the 36th week of pregnancy. However, no scientific evidence proves that the evening primrose does anything that the body doesn’t already do on its own. Another herbal ingredient used is the red raspberry leaf which is made into a tea, and used to tone the uterus, getting it ready for childbirth. Aromatherapy, along with applying or drinking teas with herbal ingredients that naturally induce labor, can also trigger contractions and allow the uterus to relax. Aromatherapy reduces the toxins in the body which in turn eliminates stress, fatigue, muscle tension, and other problems which may be causing false labor or for labor not to come at all.

There are other natural ways of inducing labor naturally. They say that sex and orgasm helps stimulate the uterus in order to have contractions which can lead to actual labor; however, remember to perform sexual intercourse by being mindful of the baby in the womb and doing the position that will not put any physical pressure at all on the belly of the mommy. Female orgasm stimulates uterine contractions and male semen produces Prostaglandin which helps in making the cervix ripe for childbirth. During or after bath, nipple stimulation is also encouraged because this method naturally stimulates the production of oxytocin which is a hormone that naturally induces labor in pregnant women.

Aside from having sex and other labor inducing methods during pregnancy, the most common way known to help induce labor naturally is to do continuous walking and other forms of non-strenuous exercises can also help in inducing labor naturally. This is because exercise helps contract the uterus which in turn leads to normal contractions and labor.

Besides sex any other ways to induce labor naturally?!?

Getting anxious I am 40 weeks and ready to have this baby, but have had no contractions, no discharge – any tips on naturally inducing labor BESIDES sex? Thanks!