Health care providers will caution women against using aromatherapy during pregnancy. Some herbs may be too strong for some women, causing allergic reactions, headaches, nausea, etc. However, there are some types of aromatherapy that are safe to use at home to induce labor. Women who choose to use aromatherapy to induce labor should only use it if they have reached or passed their due date to minimize any adverse effects. The use of aromatherapy to induce labor should always be used with caution.

Lavender

Lavender is naturally calming and relaxing and can often be found used in bath washes and lotions. It is said to help relieve stress and cause the body to lose tension. In order for labor to begin, the mother must be stress-free and relaxed. Contractions will not begin if the body is too tense so the use of Lavender is suggested to ease that tension and welcome the on-set of labor.

Evening Primrose Oil

This oil is believed to stimulate the uterus and cause contractions. In capsule form, Primrose can be taken orally or can be inserted vaginally to help soften and thin the cervix for dilation.

Clary sage

Clary sage is more helpful as an aromatherapy treatment once contractions have begun. Because it is said to be antispasmodic, clary can help ease the pain of contractions during labor. In large doses, however, clary sage can be highly toxic and is generally not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Basilica and Oregano

Basilica, commonly known as basil, is an herb said to stimulate the uterus and help cause contractions due to its potency.

Like basilica, oregano is said to stimulate the uterus to induce labor. It is also known to be quite potent and should be used with caution.

Both herbs should only be used if the mother has reached her due date and wants to induce labor by starting contractions.

Expectant mothers should always consult their physician before using any type of aromatherapy during pregnancy. Women who choose to use aromatherapy as a method of labor induction must wait until they have reached at least 38 weeks pregnant, though physicians would most likely recommend waiting until they have reached or passed their due date.

Remember to consult your doctor or midwife before attempting this.

If you have reached or passed your due date and are looking to induce labor naturally, evening primrose oil may be your solution.

Evening primrose oil is most commonly found in a soft gel capsule form. It can be taken orally is doses of two 500mg per day. The capsule can be opened and the oil inside can be used to massage the perineum. It can also be inserted vaginally so that it sits on the cervix causing it to thin and soften. This is necessary for dilation to begin.

Primrose oil is most commonly used by midwives who prefer natural methods of labor induction to those administered in a clinical setting. To soften and thin the cervix, physicians most often use a technique called “stripping the membranes”. Using his fingers, he will physically separate the bag of water from the cervix so the cervix will stretch and thin.

There has been ongoing debate as to the effectiveness of using evening primrose oil to induce labor. As with most other natural methods of labor induction, primrose oil will not produce results right away. If taken before bed, you will not awaken in the middle of the night with contractions. It could take several attempts before experiencing effective results. A study conducted in 1999 by the American College of Nurse Midwives set out to discover the effectiveness of evening primrose oil. This study, unfortunately, has yet to prove conclusive as the group of women who took the capsules took them orally. In order for the oil to be most effective it should be taken vaginally so the cervix has an optimal chance of ripening.

If you have reached or passed your due date and would like to try a natural method of labor induction, consult with your health care provider or midwife about evening primrose oil.

Are you tired of being pregnant? Has it been too long since you have been able to tie your own shoes, sleep on your tummy and walk without the pregnant girl “waddle”? I too have been there and I know it’s not pleasant. If you are like me, then you have probably searched high and low looking for ways to ease the discomfort by inducing labor at home. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the methods of induction you read about are fool-proof or work 100% of the time because they DON’T! However, there are some things you can do at home to aid in the onset of labor by starting contractions.

Doctors will always tell you that your baby will come when she is ready. But what about her coming when you are ready? Most moms get lucky and don’t make it all the way to their due date. The highest percentage of deliveries occurs between weeks 37 and 40. Your baby is considered full term after 37 weeks so delivering anytime after this week will give your baby the best chances for a healthy delivery. Sounds great, right? Well, what if weeks 40 comes and goes and still no baby?

So, if you’re your due date is long gone and you can’t wait anymore to see that little bundle of joy that’s been doing somersaults in your belly for 9 months, there are a few things you can try to get the ball rolling.

Inducing Labor at Home You should consult with your physician before attempting any of these at-home methods.

What you might NOT want to try

• Castor Oil! I’m sure you have heard the old tale that castor oil will help if you are inducing labor at home by starting contractions. While this may be true, the oil does this by stimulating your bowels (which in turn stimulates your uterus to contract) meaning you will be spending quite a bit of time in the bathroom! Persistent diarrhea can cause you to become dehydrated so this may not be the best way to go.
• Spicy Food! If you can’t normally handle spicy food, I wouldn’t recommend it during pregnancy. The spices may cause you to have heartburn or even worse, diarrhea.
• Vigorous exercise! Doctors will warn you not to take on too much physical activity, especially during your last few weeks. If you are thinking about exercising harder to try to get the baby to “drop” or come out faster, think again. You are only putting yourself and your baby at risk.

What you might WANT to try

• Walking! We all know how to do it and should be doing it everyday anyway. This is the easiest way to bring on your labor. The gentle rocking of the pelvis can allow the baby to drop, plus the exercise can help bring on contractions.

• Spicy food! If you normally can eat spicy food, then give it a shot to induce your labor. The spices in what you eat can help trigger contractions. But again, watch out for that heartburn!
• Sex! That’s right, I said SEX! Most women steer clear of sexual intercourse during pregnancy, especially toward the last month or so because it can be very uncomfortable. However, when released during orgasm, a natural female hormone called oxytocin can cause the uterus to contract. Plus, another special hormone found in semen can cause the cervix to thin slightly and cause dilation.
• Nipple stimulation! As odd as it may sound, rubbing or massaging the nipple between your fingers (or your partners!) also causes the release of oxytocin which can start contractions. If you are not comfortable with this method, try placing a hot towel over your breasts for a few minutes at a time or use the towel to massage the nipple instead of your fingers.
• Massage! Pre-natal massage is extremely relaxing and helps de-stress the body which makes it easier for labor to begin and progress.  Rubbing the belly can help stimulate the uterus and cause contractions. Just be careful not to rub or push down too hard.

If you have reached or passed your due date and can’t wait anymore to finally have and hold your baby, then find an at-home method you are comfortable with and give it a shot. Just remember to use caution with all of these methods and don’t get disappointed if they don’t work right away or at all. Just try to be patient and focus on the moment you finally get to see that perfect little face…and your feet!

Your physician cannot tell you exactly when or how your labor will begin, which is the hard part for most expectant moms. The uncertainty of labor can make most moms nervous enough to question how to start labor at home. While most home methods of inducing labor are safe, you must first decide if it is the right time to begin labor. If you have reached or passed 37 weeks in your pregnancy induction methods may be tried but are still not recommended until you have gone past your due date.

If you experience any of these health problems in your pregnancy that can pose a threat to you or your baby, your physician may recommend artificially starting labor before your due date.

• Toxemia
  Pregnancy induced hypertension, known also as toxemia or pre-eclampsia is a very dangerous and threatening condition if not monitored carefully by your doctor. Symptoms include high blood pressure, swelling of the face, hands, and feet and high protein levels in your urine. Doctors are still unsure of what exactly causes toxemia but they do know that it can have deadly consequences if not treated properly.
• Gestational Diabetes
  This condition can have serious consequences for the mother. Women with gestational diabetes are at risk for having babies that can be too large to deliver safely. Some health care providers may recommend inducing labor before your due date to prevent the baby from becoming too large or to prevent the possibility of a caesarean section.

Your due date is an estimated 40 weeks from the date of conception. If your pregnancy goes passed 42 weeks, it is possible that your baby is still healthy and just needs more time in the womb. However, going passed 42 weeks can also have negative consequences on the health of your baby. Most physicians will induce labor to not allow a pregnancy to reach or go beyond 42 weeks.

• Overdue Baby
  If your pregnancy reaches or surpasses 42 weeks the placenta may not be able to continue to sufficiently supply your baby with enough oxygen and nutrients. Again, most physicians will induce labor before this point to ensure the baby does not suffer from inadequate nutrition.
• Large Baby
  If your health care provider feels that your baby may become too large for you to deliver, he may want to induce labor early. As with gestational diabetes, when the baby becomes too large to deliver safely, a c-section may be ordered to deliver the baby. Ultrasound technology can give a very good estimate of the size of your baby before you deliver, but they are not exact measurements. Your baby could weigh up to a whole pound more at birth than the ultrasound determined. This is especially true if the ultrasound is done before the last 4 weeks of pregnancy, when your baby is significantly building up his fat supply.

How to Start Labor

If you and your physician have determined that it is safe to start labor, there are several methods to choose from to begin the process.

• Natural herbal/homeopathic techniques If you have ever wondered how to start labor at home there are some natural methods you can use to stimulate contractions and get your body ready for labor. Meditation in a dark and quiet room helps the body eliminate stress and get ready for the birthing experience. Taking a dose of castor oil can stimulate the uterus to contract. Black and blue cohosh can also bring on contractions.
• Natural, physical methods
  Sexual intercourse has been known to cause contractions to begin. Certain hormones in a man’s sperm and female orgasm can cause uterine contractions and the cervix to thin and dilate. Nipple stimulation causes the release of oxytocin, a hormone which is known to trigger contractions. Doctors also recommend walking to put more pressure on the pelvis and get the body ready for birth.
• Artificial Methods
  The body will only begin the labor process when the cervix is ready, meaning when the cervix is thin and soft. If you need to be induced, your health care provider may administer a treatment that will cause the cervix to become ready for labor. One example, cervidil, is a cream that is applied directly on the cervix. Many women are given a drug called Pitocin, which is an artificial form of the natural female hormone oxytocin. Pitocin is administered through an IV and aides in the onset of contractions.

There are always risks associated with labor induction, whether it is performed at home or by a physician. For the safety of you and your baby, be sure the home methods you choose are approved by your health care provider.