Ways to Induce Labor When Overdue

Ways to Induce Labor When Overdue

As your due date inches closer, you get more excited about your pregnancy coming to an end and finally becoming a mother. Sometimes, though, you may be late. Your due date will have passed and still no baby. This can actually make you cranky and frustrated. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here

However, did you know that you could actually induce labor? There are ways to get your labor started so that you deliver your baby soon. Besides the crossing of the due date, the doctor may suggest induced labor under circumstances such as illness of the child or the mother, water breaking without the onset of labor, etc.

Also, if the baby is now too big and healthy delivery can be problematic, the doctor will suggest induced labor. There are many different ways to do so and some of them are natural and easy. Here are a few such effective ways.

Exercise

Labor involves contraction of the uterus and exercise will help you with just that. Go for squatting, swinging, or walking. They are the best because they will only produce mild exertion. When you walk, swing, or squat, you will be in motion and the baby will come into the right position.

Gravity will also work with you in this case and will bring your baby down so that you deliver soon enough. While exercising you should be very careful so as to be safe and to not get hurt. Don’t overexert yourself because too much tiredness will not help you at all.

Castor oil

Some women swear by castor oil to induce labor. Castor oil is effective because it cramps the intestines and as a result, your contractions will begin. You can either swallow the oil plain or you can mix it in juice or your food depending upon your preferences. But be careful, as it has the side effect of diarrhea, not a pleasant combination with labor.

Acupressure

There is no scientific proof that acupressure can help you but many women have claimed that it has helped them induce labor. The pressure points for labor are in your hands and on your ankles. You should stimulate these points for about 30 seconds to one minute.

On your hand, the pressure point is between the forefinger and the thumb. When you find this point, pinch it for thirty seconds at a stretch. If you feel contractions, take a break. On the ankle, you will find the pressure point four fingers above your ankle on your calf. Apply firm pressure on that point and rub it gently. You might go into labor after a few hours.

Nipple stimulation

There is no scientific evidence that nipple stimulation will help induce labor but one thing is for sure that nipple stimulation enhances the production of oxytocin in the body, which in turn helps with contractions. Thus, there are chances that nipple stimulation will help you.

Food

You can take a number of foods to induce labor. Eating pineapple is one example. It ripens the cervix and thus, prostaglandins are released. You can also eat black licorice for similar effects. Spicy foods are also said to induce labor. Black cohosh or blue cohosh can also induce labor. You can take them in capsule form. However, you should be careful while taking this herb and you should first consult your doctor. Take the herb only if she says it is fine.

Sex

Again, there is no clear-cut proof that sex will induce labor but many women say that it is actually very effective. Semen is filled with prostaglandins, which help ripen the cervix, readying it for labor. There is no harm in trying, right?

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Dr. Renee Hanton, MD
Dr. Renee Hanton, MD | ConceiveEasy
Dr. Renee Hanton is ConceiveEasy's Senior Physician with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Dr. Hanton specializes in the endocrine causes of infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

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