| 4 Natural Ways to Induce Labor | | | | contractions going and may help to further |
| | | | ripen the cervix. I have one word for this |
| So you want to get that wiggly bowling ball | | | | procedure...OUCH!! It hurt so very bad, but |
| of a baby out already!! Its been 9 months of | | | | more so the first time. I did experience |
| puking, peeing, bloating and not sleeping and | | | | some spotting and cramping after having this |
| it is time to put an end to the madness. The | | | | procedure done, which I was told by my doctor |
| bassinet is ready, your bags are packed and | | | | is completely normal. Although it was a |
| the nursary has a fresh coat of paint. Well | | | | painful procedure and it didn't work to put |
| aside from booking a planned c-section there | | | | me right into labour as I was hoping, if |
| are no guarantees as too when your little | | | | given the choice, I would do it again. |
| munchkin will make an appearance, however | | | | |
| there are a few things you could try to give | | | | 3) Sex-I know what your thinking. Isn't this |
| nature a nudge. These are the 4 methods I | | | | what got me in this mess to begin with? Well |
| explored with my last two pregnancies to get | | | | sometimes how it starts is how it ends. So |
| the ball rolling. | | | | although you may feel as big as a house and |
| | | | it feels that you got kicked hard in the |
| 1) Essential Oil-Clary Sage-This was a | | | | crotch it may be worth it to hop on board so |
| personal favorite of mine that I used to go | | | | to speak. Apparently semen contains |
| into labor with both of my little monkeys. I | | | | prostaglandins that can stimulate |
| am convinced without the assistance of Clary | | | | contractions. |
| Sage that I would have gone overdue with both | | | | |
| pregnancies, however both occurred right at | | | | 4)Nipple Stimulation-Well I must say that |
| my due date! I simply rubbed the oil on my | | | | this one is much easier than the sex option |
| wrists and ankles and added a few drops to my | | | | and with enough massaging I remember even |
| bath water. It also comes in handy during | | | | feeling light contractions of the uterus. |
| labor where the scent helped to provide calm | | | | The science behind nipple stimulation is that |
| and comfort, and actually assist in the | | | | it helps your body release oxytocin (natural |
| effective dialation of the uterus. They do | | | | form of pitocin), which causes contractions |
| warn however, not to use until you are far | | | | and can even help to bring on labor. Some |
| enough along in your pregnancy to go into | | | | doctors do advise against this method because |
| labor. | | | | it can lead to long, hard contractions which |
| | | | can stress the baby and the fetal heart rate. |
| 2) Stripping or Sweeping Membranes- This was | | | | |
| not a favorite of mine which I did do twice | | | | Ultimately, it is that little tike that will |
| in the doctors office with my last pregnancy | | | | decide when he or she is ready to come out, |
| (at 38 & 39 weeks). Basically the doctor | | | | however it never hurts to try to give nature |
| inserts his finger into the vagina and | | | | a nudge. It is however, incredibly important |
| attempts to separate your bag of water from | | | | that you speak with your doctor or health |
| the lower part of the uterus. This is | | | | care provider before attempting any approach |
| suppose to cause a release of hormones called | | | | to induce labour (natural or otherwise). |
| prostaglandins which should help to get | | | | |