If you are late in your pregnancy and facing a medically induced labor, you should consider some natural ways to induce labor as well. You always have the fallback of using your doctor, but if you use natural ways to induce labor you can often start contractions at your own pace and setting.

It is very common for pregnant women to induce their own labor. Also, many women want to avoid Cesarian sections or having a medically induced childbirth. Again, this is a good thing, and you have many different natural ways to induce labor to choose from.

The most recommended way to induce labor is with acupressure. Acupressure is a long-standing practice in China that is just now becoming popular in the West. For many hundreds of years Chinese people have known that by pressing on certain parts of your body you manipulate the various nerves and energy. In pregnant women there are a handful of places that, with the correct touch, can induce labor. It’s a very powerful tool and gaining popularity among women in the know.

Some women might want to also consider these two methods: sex and nipple massage. Some women might feel uncomfortable (or just not in the mood for either) which is okay. But if you’re interested, both can be highly effective for your pregnancy.

Semen contains certain chemicals known as prostaglandins. These chemicals will help ripen pregnant women’s cervixes, and having an orgasm can sometimes start your contractions. Those are two big methods right there. If you also are able to relax enough to have sex, that relaxation can also assist your body in removing mental barriers to starting labor. It’s about a 50-50 split between women and wanting to have sex late in pregnancy, but if you want to it’s worth trying.

Nipple massage works in a similar way. In third trimester pregnant women, their nipples have become more sensitive due to hormonal changes. One of these hormones is called oxytocin. Oxytocin is natural hormone everyone makes, but in pregnant women it has the added effect of starting labor in some cases. To facilitate the release of oxytocin into your bloodstream, gently massage your nipples. The hormone should be released very soon after.

In fact, oxytocin is such a powerful hormone, the medical drug Pitocin that doctors use is actually a synthetic version of the chemical your body makes every day. Of all the natural ways to induce labor, oxytocin is closely linked to medical methods too.

Some women who might be ready physically to start labor don’t because they are too stressed out. If you can relax you can often calm your body down which might start the labor process. Physical activity is also a good labor inducer. Keep it easy this late in pregnancy though – yoga or light jogging is often effective. As you move around, you both relax yourself and get your baby moving around. Maybe you’ll get him moved around enough to want to come out?

Another thing to consider is special herbs. Herbs like black cohash, blue cohash, evening primrose, and red raspberry can induce labor. This is something to definitely discuss with an herbalist or midwife. They can prepare you special teas or oils to start contractions. These herbs one of the more traditional natural ways to induce labor, and have worked for some women.

Don’t think you are dependent on the doctor to induce labor. There are many safe and natural ways to induce labor that you can try. Always remember to stay safe and relax – your pregnancy will be over soon, but motherhood is just starting! Best of luck to you.