The modern standard of care for obstetrics practices in the United States is to intervene if labor doesn't start by 41 weeks gestation. Given the unreliability of dating by methods that don't take into consideration a woman's individuality, this translates into many labor inductions and augmentations taking place in hospitals. There are ways that women can encourage labor to begin at home.
Start with Normal
These techniques should only be used in cases of uncomplicated term or post-term pregnancies in healthy women. It is best to share your intention to use the following tools with your own healthcare practitioner; often times they will add information and advice of their own. Please remember that active labor should be monitored by a trained professional.
When to Begin and When to Stop
Labor stimulating methods should be started first thing in the morning after a good night's sleep. That way the mother is less likely to become exhausted if delivery does not take place until nighttime.
It is all right to combine more than one method, but should contractions seem intense and last more than sixty seconds, stop immediately, drink water, and lie on your left side for a while or get into a warm (not hot) bath. Sustained uterine contractions can reduce blood and oxygen flow to the fetus.
In any case, all methods should be stopped a few hours prior to bedtime so that effects can wear off and the mother can get some rest. Home labor induction may take a few days before it triggers true labor. Many women persevere until they are tired, give up and relax, and then labor starts "by itself." Sometimes it is hard to determine exact effects.
Three strategies work best together to stimulate labor that leads to childbirth: soften the cervix, stimulate contractions, and irritate the bowel.
Soften the Cervix
To soften the cervix, women can try taking Evening Primrose Oil, two to three times a day, or apply the oil directly to the cervix with the help of a partner. The oil contains prostaglandins, substances found in semen that ripen cervical tissue when pregnancy approaches term, so frequent sexual relations can also accomplish this. Black Cohosh is an herb that is known to melt and dilate the cervix in pregnancy. Three drops of tincture, taken every hour in a glass of water, should be effective within 24 hours.
Stimulate Contractions
The addition of ten drops of blue cohosh tincture will also stimulate contractions. Blue and black cohosh work well together. Caulyphyllum is a homeopathic form of blue cohosh that works for some people. Blue cohosh contains a plant source of the hormones that stimulate contractions.
Your own body will produce these hormones naturally in response to nipple stimulation. A good breastpump, either manual or electric, is the most effective way to get results. Pump ten minutes on each side every hour, or five minutes on each side every half hour, to get contractions going. Use nipple inserts that come with the pump, alternating sides, so that nipples are stimulated in different ways.
Irritate the Bowel
Substances such as castor oil, mineral oil, or prune juice can have a laxative effect that causes cramping and can trigger uterine contractions. One quart of prune juice or two ounces of castor oil taken with breakfast can cause labor to begin within six hours. A hot, high, soapy enema is also effective. Wait to see if contractions continue and get stronger for at least an hour after the full effect, however, before rushing off to the hospital. Contractions may stop when the laxative wears off. Warning: the risk of infection increases if the bag of waters breaks while forceful bowel movements are being expelled.
Trust the Process
Although women may be under pressure to induce labor, in the majority of cases it is safe, and even wise, to wait. If the methods listed here do not work, the baby is not ready to be born and the mother's body is not ready to give birth. Be flexible, rest and try again in a few days, if necessary. Offer reassuring talk to the baby to increase bonding and lower stress hormones. Consult a doula, chiropractor, massage therapist, hypnotist, or acupuncturist about other methods of encouraging labor. The lesson of the human race from ancient times is that pregnancy does not last forever; babies do get born.
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