Safe and natural techniques for inducing labor at home include visualizations, meditations, and affirmations; belly massage, nipple stimulation, and orgasm; and herbal and homeopathic remedies. These natural forms of labor induction are safe and effective when the cervix is ripe and the baby is at least 37 weeks gestational age. A ripe cervix is soft and ready to efface (flatten) and dilate (open).
A baby's gestational age is typically calculated based on the last menstrual period. A more accurate gestational age can be determined based on the date of conception which may have occurred within five days of ovulation. In any case, natural induction methods are unlikely to work if the cervix is unripe.
Visualizations, Meditations, and Affirmations to Initiate Labor
- Eliminate stress by relaxing with meditation, warm baths, aromatherapy, soothing music, etc., may help initiate labor. Stress inhibits labor.
- Visualize opening of the cervix and contracting of the uterus. Visualize a flower opening.
- From a positive, hopeful viewpoint (rather than as a problem), imagine that labor will begin soon. Look forward to it with enthusiasm.
- Speak or otherwise communicate with the baby. Welcome and encourage the baby. Labor is initiated with a hormonal communication between the mother and baby's body.
- Prepare for a painless labor and joyful birth experience.
Belly Massage, Nipple Stimulation, and Orgasm for Inducing Labor
- Rubbing the belly gently and persistently may stimulate contractions of the uterus.
- Sucking or working the nipples between two fingers triggers the release of oxytocin which stimulates uterine contractions. (Oxytocin is a natural hormone produced by the woman's body. Pitocin is the synthetic form of oxytocin used by medical staff to induce labor.)
- If membranes are intact (water has not broken), sexual intercourse may help initiate labor. Female orgasm stimulates uterine contractions and prostaglandins in semen help ripen the cervix. (Prostoglandins are a hormone-like substance produced by a man's body.)
Herbal and Homeopathic Remedies for Labor Induction
From Susan Weed's Wise Woman Herbal [Susan S. Weed. Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year. Woodstock: Ash Tree Publishing, 1986.]:
- Homeopathic Caulophyllum, 200x, repeated every half-hour for two hours.
- Blue Cohosh tincture, 3-8 drops in a glass of warm water or tea, repeated every half-hour for up to four hours until contractions are regular.
- Enema with an infusion of one ounce Blue Cohosh root in a pint jar of boiling water, left at room temperature for eight hours. (Note: Enemas, like castor oil and spicy foods, may cause digestive distress that increases discomfort during labor.)
When the cervix is ripe, labor can be encouraged safely and naturally at home. The various of methods of natural induction, from visualization and relaxation to sexual intercourse and herbal remedies, provide women with a spectrum of safe activities to encourage labor.
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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