Methods of inducing labor should only be attempted under the advice of a medical professional and once the pregnancy has reached or exceeded 37 weeks to ensure the baby is fully developed. Medical inductions are usually performed after 40 weeks unless a pressing medical concern exists that requires the baby be delivered. Many methods of inducing labor are safe but generally take time to work, meaning labor doesn't occur instantly the way it might with medical intervention.
Castor Oil
Castor oil has a laxative effect on the bowels when ingested. GivingBirthNaturally.com points out that taking castor oil is a method of labor induction that is only effective if the body is already close to labor. Typically one to two tablespoons are placed into a glass of orange juice to assist in drinking the oily substance. Loose stools with abdominal cramps will occur within a few hours of taking the oil. The idea is that intestinal cramping will stimulate uterine cramping. This method is often recommended by midwives as a last resort when a woman hasn't gone into labor on her own and medical induction seems to be the next step. Bowel stimulation may do little more than cause discomfort and increase the risk of dehydration from frequent loose stools.
Spicy Foods
Spicy foods are thought to trigger the same intestinal spasms as castor oil. For some women, eating a hot dish when labor seems to be around the corner can actually intensify uterine contractions to help dilate the cervix. Cervical dilation occurs as the cervix opens to allow the baby to exit the woman's body. Contractions help push the baby downward and can help thin and open the cervix. Eventually, the cervix will open enough to allow the bag of waters to burst. Contractions tend to get longer and stronger after the water breaks until the baby is finally born.
Evening Primrose Oil
American Family Physician points out that evening primrose oil is a commonly recommended herb for inducing labor, especially among midwives. This herb comes in a gel capsule full of the oil. The capsules can either be taken by mouth as directed by a health care provider or the capsule can be inserted into the vagina until it rests against the cervix. Evening primrose oil is thought to act like natural prostaglandins, a hormone that can help thin the cervix to progress labor. As American Family Physician points out, the evidence to support or disprove this idea has not been discovered. Like many natural labor induction methods, evening primrose oil has a better chance of working when the woman's body is already close to labor.
Intercourse
Intercourse has long been a recommended method of getting labor started, according to American Family Physician. Many women are advised by midwives to begin or continue intercourse often during the final months and weeks of pregnancy. Semen contains prostaglandins, which can help dilate the cervix. A female orgasm may be able to trigger uterine contractions when the body is close to laboring. This type of induction method can be uncomfortable for some women and should not be carried out when a woman has lost her mucus plug or bleeds from the penetration. The loss of the mucus plug suggests the cervix is open and the uterus can be infected by any bacteria that makes its way in. Intercourse can help introduce harmful bacteria to the uterus at this point.
Nipple Stimulation
Nipple stimulation should be attempted with caution. DrSpock.com points out that nipple stimulation is very likely to cause contractions due to the release of oxytocin but this can be distressing on the baby if the contractions don't lead to natural labor. If the woman's cervix has not started to open or thin, these contractions will be painful and potentially harmful to the baby without justification. Hand stimulation and electric breast pump stimulation are both effective in triggering oxytocin release.
