| If you are reading this because you have reached | | | | Safer at-home methods to induce labor include |
| � and passed - your estimated delivery | | | | nipple stimulation, which helps aid the body in |
| date (EDD), and been visiting your doctor who | | | | releasing its own natural oxytocin. Another is |
| confirmed that your baby could be born "any day | | | | walking, which keeps you upright and exerts |
| now" but that, unfortunately, you are not | | | | downward pressure on the cervix, helping you |
| currently in labor, you are probably interested in | | | | toward cervical effacement and dilation. In |
| natural ways to bring on your labor. | | | | addition, do not forget about simple relaxation! |
| However, you should not blindly follow advice | | | | Anxiety increases the level of stress hormones |
| from anyone and everyone who is willing to give | | | | that may delay your labor. |
| it. | | | | The above-mentioned methods to induce labor |
| One of the common methods to induce labor at | | | | are among the most well-known, regardless - or |
| home is taking herbal tablets or tinctures, such as | | | | maybe because � of their "old wives' |
| Blue or Black Cohosh. People, who have heard, | | | | tales" reputation. Acupressure, on the other hand, |
| somewhere, that these medicinal herbs can be | | | | has been scientifically proven to be extremely |
| used for inducing labor naturally, quite commonly | | | | helpful in inducing labor naturally when induction of |
| recommend these herbs. Unfortunately, many of | | | | labor is necessary. Due to very good success |
| these well wishing persons are not familiar with | | | | rate, safety and convenience of using maternity |
| the cautions of medicinal herbs. We easily tend to | | | | acupressure, it is quickly gaining popularity among |
| think that taking natural herbs and plants could not | | | | the labor care professional. Maternity acupressure |
| possibly hurt us. However, think again, where do | | | | involves the application of pressure onto specific, |
| many of our medicines come from? Plants! | | | | sensitive points along the human body. |
| Although many of these medicines are now | | | | Acupressure uses fingers and thumbs, as |
| produced synthetically, the chemical formulas are | | | | opposed to needles in acupuncture, to stimulate |
| from the medicinal herbs. | | | | specific acupressure points. |
| If you are considering to use Black Cohosh in | | | | Maternity acupressure is merely locating the |
| order to encourage your labor to start naturally, | | | | specific pressure points and pressing them with |
| please note that this medicinal herb is known to | | | | basic instructions, hence, you can safely use it at |
| be one that promotes bleeding. Midwives and | | | | home. Indeed, many pregnancy and labor care |
| doctors have seen several women bleed severely | | | | professionals recommend pregnant mothers to |
| after the pregnant mother had induced her labor | | | | use Maternity Acupressure in order to prepare |
| with this herb. Also, if a cesarean section is | | | | their body for labor, help their cervix to dilate, and |
| required, the need for blood transfusion from | | | | finally to encourage their labor to start naturally. It |
| excessive blood loss becomes more likely. Note, | | | | is recommended that pregnant mothers treat |
| also, that if you are anemic, you should not take | | | | acupressure points that help to start labor |
| Cohosh as it can worsen your condition. As a | | | | naturally, in order to avoid medical labor induction |
| bottom line, if you are going to use any herbs to | | | | and ensuring childbirth with minimum amount of |
| induce your labor naturally, use them cautiously | | | | medical interventions. |
| and under supervision of an experienced herbalist. | | | | |