Having a child is one of the most joyful and rewarding experiences in life. Sometimes however, the baby can be quite reluctant to leave the safety and comfort of the womb. If you are overdue and tired of waiting, you could try some things at home to induce labor naturally. In this article we will explore what methods are safe to use at home.

You and your doctor most likely discussed medical induction by now. It is, however, important to understand that medications come with a potential danger and side effects. They should be used only as an emergency, after more natural approaches have been explored.

You could end your pregnancy the same way you started it - with sex. This is a well-known trick to stimulate labor. The semen contains natural prostaglandins, hormones that help the cervix to soften and ripen. Nipple stimulation can also help. It releases the hormone Oxytocin which causes contractions.

Sex is a great way to stimulate labor, but many women in late pregnancy are not in the mood for it. No problem, there are other possibilities. One very common way is to use the force of gravity. It sounds simple and it is. Walking or bouncing on an exercise ball can help the baby to descend, possibly causing enough pressure to induce labor.

What about herbs? Yes, herbs are also used to induce labor, but they can have some unpleasant side effects and have not been proven safe. Blue and black cohosh are known to cause bleeding during labor and hearth problems in newborns. Too risky to be recommended.

Another method, very old and widely used throughout Asia, is called maternity acupressure. It has been used for thousands of years and is still very popular. This is one of the most safest and effective methods for inducing labor at home.

Maternity acupressure uses the same principles as acupuncture, but without the needles. It uses gentle finger pressure on specific spots on the skin called acu-points. It can be used not only for inducing labor, but also to ease discomforts of childbirth. Simple, safe and effective.

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