How to Induce Labor in Pregnancy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one out of every five births that takes place in the United States is induced. Labor may be induced because of the condition of the mother or baby, because of the baby's size or because the due date has passed. Whatever the reasons for inducing labor, you may end up trying a few home remedies to get your labor started before moving on to medically based induction.

Instructions

1. Ask your doctor for recommendations. As you enter your third trimester, ask your doctor about when he will intervene if you don't go into labor by your due date and whether there is anything you should do to promote labor.

2. Evaluate your condition with your doctor. If your cervix has begun to dilate and you are having contractions, you may be able to induce labor. If those things have not happened, you are not likely to induce labor without medical intervention.

3. Try two classic home remedies: walking and sex. The gravity and movement of walking help to get your baby into labor position, which can help your body get ready for labor. Prostaglandins in semen can also stimulate contractions.

4. Ask your doctor about stripping your membranes. In this medical procedure, your doctor will manually separate the amniotic sac from the uterus, which makes your body produce more prostaglandins, leading to more contractions.

5. Plan on being medically induced. If none of these induction methods work, your doctor will probably schedule a hospital induction for you. Expect an IV flow of prostaglandins and to have your membranes ruptured manually.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your doctor about nipple stimulation, which can release oxytocin to generate strong contractions. Because its effects can be intense, you should only try this form of induction with your doctor's permission.

• Don't try herbal induction treatments without your doctor's permission and oversight. Herbal treatments can have powerful effects and should only be used with supervision.

References

• Natural Ways to Induce Labor
• Inducing Labor