Natural Ways to Stimulate Contractions

While modern medicine has lots of different medications to stimulate labor contractions, there are alternate, natural ways to accomplish the same thing. If the body is truly ready to start the process of labor, natural ways to encourage labor contractions are much healthier and better for both the mother and the baby. If you are looking for a natural labor and delivery, these proven ways of bolstering the body's natural processes will help the labor process along.
However, if the body is not ready for labor to begin, these procedures will most likely not work. It doesn't hurt to try, but don't be disappointed if they don't stimulate your contractions.

Considerations

It's not a great idea to start contractions before the baby is ready to be born--what's natural about that? However, if you are at or past your due date and are starting to feel signs that you're baby is ready to enter the world, there are ways to help things along.
You should always talk to your doctor or midwife before attempting any methods to stimulate contractions, and you should never try to induce labor before 37 weeks.

Herbal Methods

Natural herbal remedies usually have no side effects, but you should check with your doctor or midwife before trying this approach. Natural doesn't automatically mean safe.
Drink herbal teas containing red raspberry leaf, black and blue cohosh, goldenseal, wild ginger and especially motherwort.

Using Essential Oils

Oils can be used in both massage and aromatherapy. Aromatherapy typically works best once labor has started, to reduce the mother's stress. Lavender works particularly well for this. Oils of fennel, lemon and clarysage can be used to help stimulate labor.
Massaging evening primrose onto the labia and vagina can help ripen the cervix and start labor. Taking evening primrose capsules orally is also good--just be sure not to use either of these methods prior to 37 weeks.

Sex

Have sex; semen contains prostaglandins, which soften the cervix--plus an orgasm might just get labor going because it stimulates the release of oxytocin. Can't manage sex? Try having your spouse rub your nipples.

Last-Ditch Efforts

Have your spouse give you a foot massage, paying extra attention to the middle of the bottom of your foot.
Walk a lot and use the stairs; gravity helps push the baby down, and using these muscles will help you in labor and delivery.
Eat spicy foods, and an old wive's tale says to eat pineapple.

Castor Oil

There is an old wive's tale that encourages a pregnant woman to take castor oil to start labor. If you like drinking what feels like motor oil in your mouth, getting diarrhea and possibly vomiting, go ahead. Most midwives and doctors agree that castor oil simply doesn't work.