How to Induce Labor Yourself

Waiting nine months to see your baby is a long enough wait by itself, not to mention the mounting anxiousness, as the due date passes by with still no signs of the baby's arrival. Some people find themselves waiting for their little one's arrival even two weeks beyond their due date. Sometimes, the water breaks, but there are no signs of contractions. In such situations, it's better to try to help induce labor, rather than just sitting around and getting frustrated. But, how to induce labor yourself at home? Here are some ways of how to induce labor naturally!

How to Induce Labor Yourself Naturally

Before you try out any of these ways to induce labor yourself, it is important to remember that these methods will not work unless one's cervix is ripe. Moreover, these methods have very little scientific basis to their effectiveness and safety, however, they have been seen to help induce labor to some extent.

Sex
One of the oldest ways to induce labor at home has been sex. Semen contains prostaglandins, which cause the cervix to soften and open up. However, it is also debated that the amount of prostaglandins in the semen is not enough to induce labor. It is also said that orgasm stimulates oxytocin production, which conduces to contractions. If you are worried about your baby's and your safety, sex is absolutely safe, however, there are no scientific evidences that sex works. Unless your waters are broken or you have a low-lying placenta, sex to induce labor is safe, even if it doesn't lead to the required results. At least it helps relieve the tension of waiting, although not many women feel like having sex in the last month of their pregnancy. Nevertheless, a woman whose water has broken should not try this method, as there is risk of infections.

Acupressure
How to induce labor yourself with acupressure? Well, before we head into that, let us note that acupressure is safe for the mother and child. It has been declared safe by World Health Organization (WHO) and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Acupressure entails having your partner press certain pressure points to induce labor. By pressing these points one can stimulate contractions and conduce to cervix dilation. However, the drawback of this technique is that your partner will have to learn the techniques of acupressure. Learning these techniques is not a cumbersome or impossible task, as there are several acupressure guides available today. Acupressure helps induce labor within the next 48 hours and helps reduce pain during childbirth.

Nipple Stimulation
Nipple stimulation results in release of hormone oxytocin, which in turn helps stimulate uterine contractions. For releasing oxytocin, the nipples need to be rolled between one's thumb and forefinger for 2 minutes. Then after a break of 3 minutes, the same procedure is to be carried out. Repeat the rolling-resting pattern for 20 minutes. Nipple stimulation is asked to be dealt with caution and under the surveillance of a doctor, because it is seen to conduce to more painful contractions as compared to other labor inducing techniques. Moreover, this technique works only when the cervix has started to soften, dilate or thin out.

Sweeping Membranes
When there are no signs of approaching labor, one can try out stripping or sweeping membranes to induce labor. Make sure this technique is carried out by your gynecologist of midwife. In this technique, the doctor or midwife inserts the gloved hand into one's vagina and tries to separate the amniotic membrane from the lower part of the uterus with the help of strong sweeping movements with the forefinger and middle finger. Moreover, this motion also helps release prostaglandins, which cause the cervix to soften and open up within the next 48 hours. Although sweeping membranes is a safe method, it does not work for everybody and many find it increasingly painful and uncomfortable. Women who have opted for stripping membranes to induce labor are seen to have spotting for the next few days.

Spicy foods, pineapples, walks, swims, massages, castor oil are also known to be used to induce labor. However, their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. Castor oil is not recommended by many gynecologists because it conduces diarrhea. Moreover, never try herbal remedies to induce labor, as they can adverse effects on the body. As such inducing labor has its own risks, such as premature birth, need for C-section, infections, uterine rupture, etc. which should be avoided as far as possible.

The above-mentioned techniques of how to induce labor yourself at home have worked for some, but, have no scientific backing. Before trying out any of these methods, it is important to check with your gynecologist and find out what's the appropriate measure at that moment. Moreover, don't opt for labor induction, unless your health care provider says so. Just remember, if your baby is not ready to come out, none of these techniques will work. All the best!