The average length of human gestation is 266 days after conception, or approximately 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period. About 5 percent of infants are born more than two weeks past their estimated due date, if nature is allowed to take its course. Some increased risks are associated with pregnancies that last more than 42 weeks, prompting many doctors to induce labor at 41 weeks or before. For this and other reasons, mothers are sometimes eager to give themselves a head start. Only healthy women with normal pregnancy past their due date should use natural methods to start labor. Active labor should always be monitored by a health care professional.
Acupressure
Pressure points are best stimulated by another person after a regular massage. Pressure on the correct spot in the correct way will hurt a bit. Tingling, aching or the baby moving are signs this method is working. Locate the first point four fingers above the ankle bone on the inside of the leg. Press on the back of the bone for 60 seconds, increasing pressure during contractions. Alternate with medium pressure in the web of both hands between the index finger and thumb.
Another pressure point is on the top of the foot, about an inch below and beside the big toe. Press 1/2-inch deep with the side of the thumb for 60 seconds, rest two minutes, and repeat for 10 minutes. Contractions should start within 15 minutes if the baby is ready. Continue acupressure until labor becomes strong.
Nipple Stimulation
The body produces hormones that trigger contractions naturally in response to nipple stimulation. A washcloth or a breastpump can be used for 20 minutes every hour until contractions are regular. Stop nipple stimulation if contractions last more than 60 seconds, as this can be stressful to the baby. All methods of labor induction should be started in the morning after a good night's rest and should stop in the evening to prevent exhaustion.
Herbs
According to Susan S. Weed, author of "Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year," black cohosh root softens and thins the cervix while blue cohosh root stimulates contractions. These herbs work best together. Use three drops of black with 10 drops of blue cohosh tinctures in a cup of red raspberry leaf tea every hour to induce labor. Do not exceed recommended doses.
As with all methods, discontinue the tea and wait one or two hours to see if contractions diminish or go away before deciding if true labor has started. Sometimes mothers give up, get some rest and then labor starts on its own.
Castor Oil
No more than 2 oz. of castor oil should be taken with breakfast. Labor should start within six hours, along with oily diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Castor oil works by irritating the bowel, which irritates the uterus. Hot soapy enemas or prune juice will have similar effects.
References
- "A Book for Midwives"; Susan Klein, 1995
- Susun Weed, Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, 1986
