Medical and Natural Labor Inductions

When some need labor and delivery of pregnancy induced it's because their bodies simply won't go into labor on their own. Most women will go into labor on there own, but for those who don't there are many different ways of inducing labor both medically and naturally.

What reasons and when should you consider a labor and delivery of pregnancy induced? Normally if you are over due, meaning you are past the estimated due date and have had no signs of labor (or even have had false labor) you may be offered a chance at a labor induction.


Medical Inductions

• Application of prostaglandin to the cervix
• Breaking of the bag of waters if the cervix is dilated enough
• IV drip of Pitocin
• Prostaglandin
• Stripping of the membranes
  

Caution: before trying any type of natural labor induction, seek the advice of your healthcare provider first. Natural labor inductions really work, so you should always use extreme caution and be absolute sure you know what you are doing.

Natural Labor Induction

• Castor oil has long been used as a method of labor and delivery of pregnancy induced. The amount of time it takes for it to work varies from woman to woman. Castor oil is not for everyone. In some cases the oil passes on to the baby, causing the baby to pass meconium before being born.
   
• Enemas. Hospitals use to routinely practice giving enemas to help clean out the mom before the birth. Perhaps the thought is that it helps to bring on labor too.
   
• Fasting and dehydration. This is very dangerous to both the mom and the baby but dehydration is one of the number one causes of preterm labor. In that case simply drinking water can stop the contractions.
   
•  Herbs. There are varying opinions on the use of herbs to induce labor. Many midwives successfully use herbs to help stimulate the uterus.
   
• Black and blue cohosh
• Borage Oil
• Evening Primrose Oil (both orally and directly on the cervix)
• Goldenseal
• Mugwort
• Yarrow
   
•  Intercourse. There are prostaglandins in semen. This has worked well for me. The prostaglandins help to efface the uterus and having an orgasm helps the uterus to contract.
   
• Nipple stimulation. Done in timed sequences and bring on labor. You can do this yourself or have someone else help. Roll the nipples between your thumb and forefinger or rub them. This produces oxytocin, the hormone that causes the uterus to contract. It is to be done for 20 minutes every hour until labor is established.
   
• Swinging. Swinging in a swing can bring on labor, as stated by some midwives.

A good point – none or all of these things can work. I.E. you may try them all and not go into labor or may try one and labor will hit. Truth is our bodies will go into labor when they are ready, plain and simple. Never never never try any of this without first consulting with your doctor or midwife.

If you need your labor and delivery of pregnancy induced please please please seek the advice and counsel of your healthcare provider before trying it. There are certain conditions that could be very dangerous to try on your own, for either yourself or your baby. If labor needs to be induced for certain, then please mention the above natural methods to try first before trying one of the medical ones.