A very important thing I feel that is worth mentioning is that NONE of these will work if your cervix is not ripe.  These ideas can also help ripen your cervix- making it soft, efface and dilate.  To see if these ideas will work, it is important to be sure that your Bishop's Score is high for greater induction success.  Here is a link to see....  Bishop's Score (off-site link)

Clary Sage Oil-This is an essential oil that can cause strong contractions. Mix 10-15 drops of the oil with a carrier oil such as Almond oil. Rub the oil on your hands and use some lotion (any kind) and just massage in. You can do it for as long as you'd like.

I had a friend do this and go into labor 3 hours later.  I personally did this and it helped with contractions but I did not go into labor.  Each person is different.

Price- Approximately 10-12 dollars at any herbal store.

Blue & Black Cohosh-These are very powerful herbs to help induce labor when your cervix is ripe. They come in a tincture form. You can get them water-based or alcohol-based. The later is stronger. The blue cohosh is suppose to make stronger more effective contractions. The black cohosh is suppose to regulate the contractions and make them more effective.

To use: Take 10-15 tinctures of the blue every hour. Then take 5-10 of the black cohosh every half and hour. Do this until labor starts, or for one full day. Take a rest the next day and try again on the third day.

Price- You can usually find these for about $10 each at an herbal store.

Notes on Cohosh

I got very tired using these. I asked all those who used them to induce labor and they agreed. It's important to give your body a rest- and the baby's body.

I would NOT recommend using the capsules- ONLY the tinctures. If you cannot find them at your Herbal Store, you can either special order them or order them online.

"I am a labor and delivery nurse and teach nursing at a local university. I was concerned with the recommended use of Black Cohosh for inducing labor "naturally". Beware the use of Black Cohosh. We have seen several women try to bleed to death after a delivery induced with this herb. Also, if a C-section is required, the need for blood transfusion from excessive blood loss becomes more likely.

  If you need confirmation of this read Dr. White's article on what herbs can and cannot be taken during pregnancy. Black Cohosh is listed as an herb that promotes bleeding.

  Some people think nothing of taking herbs and plants thinking they are natural and won't hurt you. But think about where many of our medicines first came from, plants. Many are now made synthetically (man made) but the chemical formulas they use as building blocks came from plants.

Another herb to be aware of is Saint Johns Wort. It tends to make your blood pressure unstable, being high on one reading and very low on the next reading. This may compromise blood flow to and through the placenta and adversely affect the unborn fetus.

  Not all herbs are bad, not all are good, and some may be harmful in high doses but okay in lower doses. And herein lies the problem. The FDA does not regulate the herbal industry, so the same herb from two different companies may contain greatly differing amounts of the herb. Also, there may be other chemicals and/or preservatives present depending upon each manufacturers process.

 I guess the bottom line is that if you are going to use herbs, use them cautiously. And remember, If your cervix is not ready these herbs will not help you go into labor. And if it is ripe, the best thing to do is be patient and give it a tincture of time. And always consult your OB doctor before using any herb. "

-Sue

Another precaution with the Cohosh is to NOT take it if you are anemic as it can worsen your condition.

Evening Primrose Oil-This comes in a capsule similar looking to vitamin E. This is not an herb to induce your labor but to help ripen your cervix and make your labor faster. You can take up to 5 a day after 38 weeks of pregnancy. My midwife also put it on my cervix to help ripen it. It has precursors to prostaglandins.

Price- About $8-10 at an herbal store.

Walking-This will help labor to progress if you are actually in labor. If not, it can help to ripen your cervix and give you strength for the labor ahead.

Price- Free!

Castor Oil-This is a quite unpleasant way to cause strong uterine contractions. This in turn, causing you to go into labor. Although this worked for me with my second daughter, it is an unpleasant way to go into labor.

Here's are two recipes for this:

   1. 2 ounces of caster oil in a large glass of orange juice. Stir well, gulp down immediately!!

   2. 2 ounces of castor oil-strait! Do not drink anything afterwards. Do have a mint of some sort. Trust me, you'll want a mint!

Price-A couple of dollars or less at Wal-mart

*More comments on Caster Oil Here.

Acupressure-There are two that can be stimulated until it causes contractions. They are:

In the webbing of your thumb and pointer finger. Press around that spot hard! If it hurts it's the right place. Keep pressing until you get a contraction. Stop!! When the contraction is done begin again.

The other place is on the inside of your ankle. Find your inside ankle bone. Go up your leg four finger spaces. Push very hard. This should hurt. If it does, it's the right place. Do the same as the directions above.

Be careful when doing the acupressure points. When a contraction starts, stop pushing the point! Or else you will have a double contraction!

Reflexology!

At 38wks pregnant with my fourth child, I had a session of prenatal massage and reflexology.  Although the massage therapist said that it had never worked on anyone who wasn't at least one week overdue, it did the trick for me.  About 15min after my massage was finished, mild contractions began, and exactly 24hrs later (almost to the minute!) my son was born!

-Catey ball

1. Taking a ride down a bumpy road

2. Eating a lobster dinner

3. Taking a nice warm bath with rose scented bath bubbles, shampoos etc.

4. Eat very spicy foods...

5. Lots of sex, it's suppose to ripen the cervix

Contributed by: Brandy

With Christian My cervix was very ready, I went on a go-cart ride and that night started labor. My doctor said it was because of the vibrations from the ride.

If I had known what was going to happen I would have waited one more week, just because it is better for the baby. But for someone who is over due, try it.

Contributed by: Sharon Bair

Last year on a news program, I had seen a story about women who were overdue that would go to eat Eggplant Parmesan at a specific restaurant in Georgia.  We're from N.J. My sister was 12 days away from her due date and I asked her if she wanted to try it.  15 minutes after we had split an Eggplant Parmesan dinner, her water broke!  She went into labor and had her baby by the next day!  I am 35 1/2 weeks pregnant and am going to try this in about 2 1/2 weeks.  I'll let you know what happens! 

-Robin

My friend suggested nipple stimulation.  Fifteen minutes on each side for an hour for a total of 3 hours a day.  She swears by it.  I just thought I would suggest it, and I am 3 weeks away from my due date, so I will let you know if it works.

Contributed by: Michelle Fout

Balsamic Vinegar

Drink several "shots" of balsamic vinegar.  This is said to help stir things up a bit!

Red Raspberry Leaf Tea

I tried RASPBERRY LEAF TEA with a teaspoon of honey three top five cups a day, (can be a substitute to water), from 36 weeks. I had two 4 hour "easy" labors (non medicated and no intervention!) using this method.

It is worth a note that my mother, sister and aunty had more than 20 hours a piece in labor and they didn't try this method. Good luck on my behalf, maybe?  It was worth trying. I figured I didn't have anything to lose! If I had any more babies I would definitely try this again.

-S. Macfarlane

*Note- all that I have read and studied, is that it doesn't put you into labor, but it does help make your labor easier by toning your uterus.  I also used this with my last 3 children and I had very fast labors.

-Shiloah Baker

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nurse or any medical specialist, nor do I claim to be! I am simply sharing some ideas/suggestions for inducing labor naturally. You must always consult with your doctor, physician, or Midwife before doing any of these things! None of these suggestions should be tried before 38-40 weeks of pregnancy. Most importantly use under the advice of a physician/midwife.  Never will I recommend doing labor inducing before 38 weeks.

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