You are overdue and tired of being overdue. Your baby’s nursery has been ready for weeks now but nothing is happening to indicate the baby’s coming soon. I was 15 days overdue when I discovered that there are natural ways to induce labor. I can’t describe the relief when after applying some of these natural ways to induce labor, my contractions started happening and my labor began.

First, and probably most widely known is acupressure labor technique. Acupressure works on the premise that applying pressure to certain points on the body, natural balance and energy is restored. As one of the natural ways to induce labor, acupressure labor technique prompts contractions to begin, softens the cervix, and eases the body into safe, relatively pain-free labor.

Second natural way to induce labor is to use reflexology. Similar to acupressure, reflexology is based on applying pressure on specific points on the body. In reflexology, feet and hands are considered to be maps of the body and different points reflect a different organ. For example, the inside of the ankle sends signals to the uterus to contract.

The third way is probably one of the most popular ways to induce labor. You might have guessed: castor oil. Castor oil is normally used as a laxative. When ingested, castor oil induced cramping in the bowel. For induction of labor this means that the cramping of the bowel radiates to the uterus causing it to contract and start the labor.

Use these natural ways to induce labor ONLY after you have consulted your practitioner, if you have had a healthy pregnancy, and if you’re already dilated.

Being pregnant is a natural process so why wouldn’t be use natural ways to induce labor if there are no medical reasons to prevent us from doing so?

To use pressure points to induce labor you need to learn about specific areas (points) on the body that will have that effect. Using pressure points to induce labor is an ancient technique of inducing labor naturally. By applying pressure, usually by hand, on different pressure points on the body, natural equilibrium and energy in the body is restored. When using acupressure to induce labor, contractions are induced, the cervix softens, and the body is relaxed and eased into birthing. DO NOT practice these techniques if you’re experiencing problems and before you consult your doctor. Your pregnancy has to be full term and acupressure labor works best when you are already dilated.

The pressure points to induce labor process are not known to have any serious side effects and as such are considered one of the best natural ways to induce labor and have a safe, easy birth…

To stimulate and induce labor, don’t use any lotions or cream. Your hands are enough. You can do it yourself or ask your partner to help you.

Here are four most commonly used pressure points to induce labor:

The Adjoining Valley point

This pressure point is located in the webbing between the forefinger and the thumb. Using your opposite hand, feel for a tender area and apply slight pressure. This technique helps in stimulating your large intestine which in turn eases you labor pain.

The Shoulder Well

Using your finger, measure four fingers from the shoulder joint to your neck. Once you find this area, apply gentle pressure. method. In this technique you need to put the pressure on your trapezius muscle.

The Three Yin Crossing

This method will help you in strengthening weak contractions. This point is located above the ankle by almost the width of your hand. It is just beside your calf muscle. You will find a tender area while putting pressure on this area that is the exact area where you should put the pressure on.

The Big and High

This area can be found between the ankle bones, above the back of the heel of your foot. Putting pressure on this part will help your baby to descend.

These 4 pressure points to induce labor are only the tip of the iceberg. There are dozens of other pressure points you can use to induce labor. Just be gentle when applying pressure and make sure you have approval from your medical practitioner.

Any of the available natural ways to induce labor might sound tempting to you, if you have passed you estimated due date. The last days of your pregnancy can be a very anxious time, waiting until you go into labor and delivery. However, once you are “past due”, not only the wait can make you anxious, but your doctor can increase your nervousness, if he or she starts to talk about inducing labor at the hospital.

If you are past due and want to avoid medical labor induction, there is a selection of natural ways to induce labor. Yet, no matter how impatient or desperate you may be, it is important not to just rush out and try any remedy. Sometimes, well meaning people may give false advice and you might end up trying something that is potentially harmful when all you wanted to do was start labor naturally. A great example of this is natural herbs, either in tablet or a tincture form. Many people suggest taking herbs to help promote natural labor, however without knowing the risks or the exact amount to take. Taking herbs in an attempt to induce labor but without good knowledge of what you are doing may cause more harm than good.

Therefore, when it comes to inducing labor naturally or choosing pharmaceuticals, such as Pitocin, you need to be informed. There are some specific medical conditions that could require medical induction in a highly controlled environment. It’s, however, important to carefully consider the potential risks, as compared to the benefits, that medical labor inducing drugs may have to the mother or the baby. There are many methods for inducing labor naturally and their benefits can far outweigh the seriousness of risks that are involved with medical induction.

First, you should understand that many natural methods for inducing labor are effective, when used appropriately. Therefore, they should never be used before you are full term, and should not be attempted without agreement from your midwife or obstetrician. Secondly, some natural labor inducing remedies may not be as safe as commonly thought. In fact, just because a medicine or remedy is “all natural” doesn’t mean that it is without harm, risk, or side effects. However, some remedies, such as maternity acupressure, have actually been proven to be safe by modern science and have no side effects.

If you need to induce labor, some natural ways to induce labor have far less risks when compared to drugs like Pitocin. Safe ways to induce labor naturally include maternity acupressure, walking (if you can and are allowed to walk), sexual intercourse (when your membranes have not ruptured), and gentle breast stimulation. These methods help to start labor through different mechanisms.

If your pregnancy has extended beyond your expected due date, your obstetrician or health care provider may have informed you that you may need to be chemically induced. However, statistics show that labor inducing medication is not the safest way to induce labor because it may have serious complications for both mother and baby. In fact, medical labor induction should be used only as a last resort.

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. The risk is not from inducing labor but from the procedure.

Even when using cervical ripening chemicals, sometimes the cervix is just not ready. Using medications to induce labor increases the occurrence to Cesarean sections five times. Also, using medications to induce labor requires constant monitoring. The mother may need to be hooked up to fetal monitors continuously as well as an IV drip, confining the mother to bed and causing further distress.

Induced labors are usually more painful, which can increase the need for epidural analgesia. Epidurals introduce a higher likelihood of adverse effects on the labor, the baby, and the mother. In general studies have shown that inducing labor with chemicals increases remarkably the chance of having a vacuum birth or a Cesarean section.

Cesarean delivery is major surgery, and thus there is a risk of infection of the uterus and nearby organs, respiratory complications and unexpected reactions to anesthesia and other medications during the surgery, such as sudden drop in blood pressure. Babies born by Cesarean section are more likely to develop breathing problems and get low Apgar scores. The low score can be an effect of the anesthesia, or the baby may have been in distress to begin with. Another downside is that the baby does not receive the same stimulation as a vaginal birth during delivery.

Vacuum births commonly cause more damage and tears for the mother. When a vacuum is used as an aid during labor, babies may suffer from injuries including a dislocated shoulder. When inducing labor is necessary, the smarter decision is to consider alternative methods before trying using chemicals.

One of the most studied natural labor induction methods is acupressure. The holistic system of acupressure, used to induce labor, works by building on what the body does naturally. In this way, the use of acupressure can be remarkably beneficial during childbirth. Labor acupressure can be very helpful in descending your baby, dilating your cervix, and starting and making the labor contractions more frequent and successful.

Acupressure for labor has been proven to shorten the delivery time by helping your body to function better and to use its remarkable underlying capabilities. The chances of having a long labor are decreased because of this, therefore reducing any distress or suffering to the child.

If you are in the final stage of labor you can use self induce labor techniques to bring on the labor process. These techniques are safe provided you fulfill two conditions. First, you should have completed forty weeks of pregnancy. Second, you should consult your health practitioner and get her approval before trying out any self-induced labor techniques.

Various Self Induce Labor Methods

We will be discussing here the various methods that have been used successful by pregnant women to bring about the labor process naturally. These range from herbal remedies to the use of alternative therapies like acupuncture. You can find out which is the most suitable for you by doing a thorough research. You should also be aware of any possible side-effects before trying out any of these techniques.

Herbal Medicines - Are They Safe?

A common method to self induce labor is to take herbal medicines like Blue or Black Cohosh. These are popularly suggested for inducing labor with the mistaken notion that anything herbal is harmless. That is to true. You should remember that these herbs have certain chemical components which give them a medicinal status. For instance Black Cohosh promotes bleeding, so if you are anemic it could make your condition worse.

A safer option could be using pineapple. Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which helps in digestion of proteins. This can stimulate the connective tissues of the cervix to bring about labor. However, for this method to work you should eat only fresh pineapples. In canned pineapples the bromelain is destroyed in the preservative process. Mango and papaya also have similar properties, so you can have a pick of your favorite fruit from among the three.

Other Self Inducing Labor Techniques

With Hormones: Prostaglandin is a hormone that causes labor contractions. It also helps to ripen an unripe cervix. You can self induce labor by consuming it orally or applying it to the cervix. A good source of prostaglandin is primrose oil. This has to be applied directly to the cervix with your fingers. Care should be taken not to damage the membrane in the process. If you find it too difficult to do this you can have the primrose oil capsule inserted into the vagina for the same effect.

With Acupressure: Another good method for self-inducing labor is acupressure. This has been scientifically proven to be helpful in inducing labor. Maternity acupressure is a simple, safe and effective technique that is gaining popularity among health care professionals. It involves applying pressure to vital sensitive spots on the body. These points are simply pressed with the fingers and thumbs, unlike acupuncture which involves the use of needles.

With Home Remedies: There are many other home remedies to self induce labor. Walking, for instance, is a simple but effective technique to aid cervix dilation since it keeps you in an upright position and exerts gentle downward pressure on the cervix. Stimulating the nipple can also help induce labor since it increases oxytocin secretion. No matter which technique you choose, remember to keep yourself relaxed and stress free. No self induce labor can work if you are not in a relaxed frame of mind, so stay calm.

Inducing labor to bring forth the birth of a baby has become a common event in Western hospitals. Traditional Western medication uses pharmaceuticals to induce labor, but there is an alternative to this risky approach. Labor acupressure is a holistic method that has become very popular among pregnant women and labor care professionals. This is because acupressure for labor provides a safe and natural alternative to induce labor, without the risks of pharmaceuticals.

Acupressure for labor is a natural method that rapidly increasing group of labor care professionals are using and recommending to pregnant mothers, especially those who are threatened by medical labor induction. This is because acupressure for labor provides a safe and natural alternative to induce labor, without the risks of medication.

One of the most common methods used in hospitals, to artificially stimulate the labor to start, is to administer a drug known as Pitocin. It may or may not work within the next two days. When it works, Pitocin usually produces a very strong reaction and many experience strong labor pains. The effects that the pharmaceuticals might have on the unborn baby are not fully understood. There is also a good chance of some side effects that range from nausea and vomiting to more severe conditions, which usually lead to a cesarean section. All in all, pharmaceutical labor induction does not appear to be the best way to get labor and delivery started.

The natural and holistic approach of acupressure in bringing on the labor and delivery has absolutely no adverse effect on the baby as no pharmaceuticals are being introduced into the body. It’s safe for the mother, as well, because it only helps your body to function better. The worse possible side effect is a slight chance of minimal soreness at the site of pressure point stimulation after repeated treatments.

Acupressure encourages the labor to start by helping the cervix to ripen and dilate, and stimulating the contractions. Some acupressure points help to get the baby to engage better, if he hasn’t descended well.

A recent study tested labor acupressure on a group of women who were near or past their due date, and used a control group of women in similar condition. (Complement Ther Med. 2005) The pregnant women in the control group were not given acupressure treament. As the result of acupressure treatment, women in the acupressure group went into labor naturally, significantly more often than the women in the control group not using any acupressure techniques.

The management of labor pain and the prevention of suffering are major concerns of many labor care professionals and expectant mothers. As the risks of pain medications during labor are now known better, the drug-free approaches for controlling labor pains are becoming more common among labor care professionals and pregnant mothers.

Stimulation of specific acupressure points for pain relief has been shown to increase the release of endorphins which are extremely effective natural painkillers that also improve the body’s performance and promote positive feelings. A recent study revealed that treatment of one single pain relieving pressure point remarkably reduced labor pains, according to the ratings that birthing mothers gave during their labor and delivery (J Altern Complement Med. 2004).

Additionally, the study showed that the total labor time (measured from 3 cm dilatation to delivery) was, surprisingly, much shorter in the acupressure group than in the control group not using acupressure for labor.

Mothers who have used acupressure during labor have been incredibly satisfied with the method. They felt that it was very helpful in keeping the control of their own labor and delivery. They found that labor acupressure helped their cervix to dilate, encouraged the contractions, and managed the labor pains, without the fear that the labor would slow down.

If you’ve done the whole nine months and your due date has come and gone, and there is still no sign of the baby you should be thinking of ways to induce labor. But before you go ahead with it, you should know the risks and benefits associated with it as well. After all, it’s a crucial matter and where your health and the baby’s wellbeing are concerned, you should take no chances.

There are various induced labor techniques which are used not only to bring about labor but also to help it along. Most of these techniques involve some physical intrusion or the use of hormones. There are also various alternative home remedies, but these are not really foolproof. Here we have given you an overview of all the techniques that can be used to induce labor. But before that you should know………

When To Go For Induced Labor?

The first question is of course, when? When should you go for labor-inducing techniques? There can be many factors involved in making this decision. For instance, if your due date has already passed and there are still no signs of natural labor, then you should consider induced labor. Waiting longer may increase the risk of uterine infection.

Another possibility is that your water has broken, and some time has passed and you still do not enter into natural labor. If you are suffering from some acute or chronic disease you may need to go for induced labor to prevent further complications. There are differences from person to person and specific health conditions have to be taken into account by the medical practitioner before deciding to go for labor-inducing techniques.

What Are The Various Induced Labor Techniques?

Once the decision is taken to induce labor, there are various alternative techniques. One technique is to insert a finger into the cervix and tear apart the bag of water from the uterus. This stimulates the discharge of prostaglandin which causes contractions to start. This technique can only be used when the cervix is already partly dilated.

Another technique is to introduce prostaglandin artificially into the body by inserting medicines containing this hormone into the vagina.

Prostaglandin release can also be caused by inserting a balloon into the cervix with the help of a catheter. On inflating the balloon, some pressure is applied to the cervix, leading to prostaglandin release.

If you are wary of these intrusive techniques and would prefer to try something on your own, you can go for alternative remedies to induce labor. Of course you should consult your doctor before you try out any of these methods. One technique to induce labor is simply walking. Walking stimulates the muscles in your uterus and may help stimulate contractions. You can also try herbal remedies like raspberry leaf tea or tea with thyme. Primrose oil and castor oil have also been found useful in inducing contractions. Relaxation techniques can also be helpful in getting you to start your labor by putting you in a relaxed, stress-free state of mind. Acupuncture is also sometimes used to induce labor. Choose a labor inducing technique that you are most comfortable with.

Congratulations! You’re going to have a baby! If you are reading this, you are probably reached the advance stages of your pregnancy. By now you might be tired to wait your baby to arrive – especially if your baby has reached - and passed – his estimated delivery date (EDD). You might also feel exhausted due to the day-to-day aches and complaints regarding pregnancy. I am happy to tell you that there is good news! As long as your professional pregnancy care provider agrees, you can induce your labor naturally and help things along without medical labor induction.

Inducing your labor naturally is a great alternative to using other forms of induction. Most of the natural labor induction remedies don’t cause side effects to worry about, your baby’s health won’t be placed in unnecessary jeopardy, and you won’t suffer any ill consequences. Some of the best ways to naturally induce labor are also safe and simple. Two common ways that you can induce labor naturally are by walking, and sexual intercourse. Some women may feel more pressure when they walk. This is due to the force of gravity and the baby’s head descending into the pelvic region. In fact, when many women are in labor, their midwife or health care provider will have them walk to increase or speed up labor. You can do this on your own, before labor even begins.

Sexual intercourse is also known for inducing labor naturally. When a woman experience orgasms, the body releases hormones involved in childbirth, among other functions. A group of hormones that stimulate labor to start by ripening the cervix is Prostaglandins. These may be in synthetic form through a medical prescription, but you can bypass the medical alternative and access Prostaglandins naturally. Semen contains Prostaglandins and when you partner ejaculates during sexual intercourse, the Prostaglandins in the semen will help soften and ripen the cervix, therefore inducing labor.

When women climax their bodies release the hormone Oxytocin. Oxytocin helps the uterus to contract and will strengthen the intensity of your contractions. Therefore, you can see that sexual intercourse helps stimulate or induce labor from hormones released in both the man and the woman. In fact, the medication known as Pitocin is used to induce labor and strengthen contractions and it is a synthetic form of Oxytocin.

Another method of inducing labor naturally is nipple stimulation. Nipple stimulation also releases Oxytocin. Please remember, however, to apply nipple stimulation according to instructions from your midwife or doctor because vigorous nipple stimulation could cause to very strong labor contractions.

Additionally, there are many herbs that have been used for centuries to help induce labor. Before using any herbs, you should consult with your health care practitioner or midwife. Evening Primrose Oil, Blue and Black Cohosh, False Unicorn Root, and Red Raspberry Leaf are some of the most popular herbs that are used to naturally induce labor. Before using any herbs, be sure to let your health care provider know.

Evening Primrose Oil can be very helpful in ripening the cervix due to the Prostaglandins it contains. Evening Primrose Oil is applied by inserting an oil capsule into the vagina. It is extremely important not to use any herbs for inducing labor naturally during the early part of pregnancy, as these can have serious consequences.

Finally, one of the safest natural labor inducing remedy is acupressure. Acupressure for labor is among the most studies ones and proven to be safe and effective. Because the technique is simple, this labor acupressure could easily be used at home.

It is a common question in my practice, “have you induced labor with acupuncture.” The answer is a profound yes. I have induced several women and have watched other practitioners induce many more. All of the women I have seen use acupuncture induction gave birth within 48 hours. They were all slightly “over due” according to their physicians. They all sought out acupuncture as an alternative to Pitocin. The average labor time was 4 – 5 hours.

Understanding how acupuncture can induce labor:

Acupuncture is different than western induction drugs. It is an alternative to Pitocin,
yet acts in a very different way. First lets look at Pitocin. Pitocin creates an
immediate reaction which begins labor whether the mother’s body and baby are
ready or not. Contractions start almost instantly with pitocin in labor induction,
making it an extremely predictable drug. However, the effects of pitocin on children
are not fully known. Possible side effects for the mother have been reported to
include:

• Anaphylactic reaction
• Postpartum hemorrhage
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Fatal afibrinogenemia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Premature ventricular contractions
• Pelvic hematoma

Using acupuncture to induce labor is a whole different experience. Depending on
the practitioner, acupuncture needles are inserted into strategic locations in the
hands, lower leg, and feet. These needles are not like what the average person
thinks of when they imagine getting a shot. The needles are solid, yet extremely
thin (about 5 can fit inside the hole of your average hypodermic needle). For the
most part the insertion does not produce pain. The needles create a stimulation in
the body which is used to reprogram the mother’s energy in such a way as to get
her body ready for labor. With some women this can be a significant change, as I
will describe in a minute. Labor is rarely expected to start right away, although I
have been lucky enough to witness it on several occasions.Birth Stories With Acupuncture

#1 - My first acupuncture induced labor – Observation Clinic with Dr. Daniel
Diamond:

I mentioned that for some women, acupuncture induction can create a significant
reaction in the women being treated. The first time I ever witnessed acupuncture to
induce labor was in an acupuncture techniques class. My teacher, Daniel Diamond,
was looking for a subject to discuss for the evening. One of my classmates was a
day overdue for her child’s birth and decided to be the volunteer for the day’s
discussion rounds. Needles were inserted in the hands and feet with electro-
stimulation set to mild (many practitioners use electro-stimulation for inducing
labor. I do not as I have not found it necessary, however, it is safe and effective as
the levels are set to very low and the electricity is not allowed to pass through the
uterus). Within five minutes my classmate, the women being treated, started to have
contractions. She packed up her bags in the middle of class and left the classroom
to give birth to her child within five hours of the end of class.

#2 - My first time inducing labor with acupuncture:

Sarah, a 20 year old women came into my clinic complaining of being overdue for
her delivery by one and a half weeks. She had already seen two other student
acupuncturists who had both provided her with the textbook induction technique of
four needles, one in each hand and foot, combined with electro-stimulation. I
wanted to do something different. I sat down with her and talked about her
pregnancy. Her partner paced around in the background and when they
communicated I sensed some tension. So, what to do? Acupressure induced labor….
In Acupuncture and Acupressure there are “pressure points” on top of the shoulders
that can be stimulated to induce labor. Yes it is a wives tail if you have never seen it
done (it will probably not work and can be categorized as myth), but it works if you
know what you are doing and how to press the points. I had the patient sit in a chair
and breath deep. As she exhaled I would follow the breath pushing into the point
imagining the energy going into her feet. At the very bottom of her breath I noticed
that her belly was coming up, almost contracting, instead of relaxing down with the
exhale. I pointed this out to her and helped her relax all the way through the breath.
She started to feel more relaxed and actually had a little small contraction. I then
had her partner do the massage technique, and taught him how to press. To my
amazement, her belly contracted up at the end of her breath twice as much as the
first time when I had pressed down. I pointed this out to both of them and asked
why she would be contracting against him. She broke down crying. She cried about
her hesitations to bring the baby into the world without her partner’s support. He
cried about not being ready to be a father but wanting to fill that role to the best of
his ability. It was fairly amazing to witness as there had obviously been a barrier,
which was now falling. After a few minutes of talking I had her lay down on the table
and I put in some acupuncture points, which were different than the treatment she
had already been receiving (Lv 8, Lv 2, LI 4, St 36, St 38). I also treated the partner
to help him relax. Her contractions did not start on the table, but the baby began to
kick immediately. She went into labor that evening and gave birth to a healthy baby
before dawn.

#3 - Acupuncture Induction - The Case of The Anti-Induction:

In some instances I have used acupuncture to slow down contractions so the mother
could sleep (her husband was an internal medical physician and had just gotten off
of a very stressful 36 hour shift). Her contractions were too mild to be real labor,
but enough to keep her awake. The more relaxed she became, the more intense the
contractions. If she had stayed up, she would have gone into labor that evening. Her
husband, however, was very tired and would not have made it through the night as
an active supporter in the process. We used acupuncture to slow down the
contractions and to help her calm down. She fell asleep and woke up with regular
contractions. Her baby was delivered later that day.

In summary
Acupuncture can be an effective means to induce labor. I have seen it work time and
time again. When compared to the possible side effects of pitocin on children and
the known potential side effects for mothers it is clear that acupuncture should be
our first line of induction. Acupuncture has no known side effects and as the
needles do not come close to the abdomen, there is no potential negative side effect
for the child. The down side is that the induction is not always an immediate
process. In hospitals, the trend is to want to get women in and out of labor. A
hospital bed is expensive and so is a physician’s time. If you or a friend you know is
considering using acupuncture to induce labor, you should visit the acupuncturist
prior to the seventh month and expect to begin treatments to induce the labor just
before or after your due date. An experienced acupuncturist will know how close
you are to going into labor and can give you a clear view of how long you can expect
to wait for labor to begin.

Labor is a spiritual journey. When your spirit, the spirit of your child, and the spirit
of the father are ready the birth will begin. Have patients and see the experience as
the most amazing passage you will most likely have as a family. You are ushering a
new life into this world. Breathe and observe every second with awe, love and hope
for the new life. Using acupuncture to induce labor does not push you through the
experience prematurely or too quickly. Acupuncture balances you and prepares you
for the passage. Take a deep breath and say hello to a new life.