Not Sleeping

Light or mild contractions that start when you would normally be sleeping can be one of the worst starts to a labor. When this happens, many women are too excited or too nervous to sleep, and so begin their labor with a lack of sleep.

Not Eating

Most hospitals have a policy that restricts eating during labor. This rule has nothing to do with the normal process of labor or the safety of eating during labor. It is a rule because of the possible complications of medications used for surgery. But still, many women believe that they shouldn't eat once labor begins

Stopping Regular Activity

Inevitably, there are mothers and grandmothers who try to convince women that once labor starts, you have to stop everything and lie down. Just like paying attention to the labor too soon, this behavior will set the mother up for a terribly long and boring labor. It may cause her to become overly fatigued mentally and emotionally

Going to the Hospital Too Soon

Many first time mothers get mixed messages from friends and family members about how to react when labor begins. This confusion can lead to another common mistake in early labor, going to the hospital too soon.


Inducing Labor Naturally

Note: Before you try any of these natural methods, you should consult your healthcare professional for his or her consent.


1. Walk, Walk, Walk
According to some experienced mothers, walking can help induce your labor naturally. Why? Because the motion of walking will move your hips from side to side. This motion will help move your baby into the right position so he or she can be born.

2. Have Sex
"What???" you're probably saying Why? "that's what got me into this shape in the first place!" In order to induce your labor naturally, you need to start having contractions. Your male partner's semen contains a hormone called Prostaglandins. Synthetic Prostaglandins are administered to women in order to induce labor. Plus, when a woman has sexual orgasms, her uterus contracts. Therefore, having sex can actually help induce your labor in two ways.

3. Take Castor Oil
Castor Oil is an age-old remedy for everything from constipation to an upset stomach.  Simply mix three or four teaspoons of Castor Oil in your favorite juice (This type of oil is available at your local drugstore.) Of course Castor Oil will clean your colon out. But, it's supposed to also help you go into labor. Before trying this orally , try taking it and rubbing it into your all over your belly with a mix of Jasmine essential oil .  If your body is ready this may stimulate labor.

4. Climbing Stairs : This is not only a good exersise but it can also help move baby into a better position.   Climb 2 steps at a time sideways , always stepping with the same foot.  If you can not do 2 steps just try one. Do not continue to do this if it makes you dizzy or too tired.

5.  Squatting :  Such as just scrubbing the floors or working in the garden can induce labor as this position encourages baby to engage into the pelvis.

6.  Nipple Stimulation : This is a great way to start but can be irratate your nipples if you do it too long. It can be done by you or your male partner.  If your bodie is ready it will work. Take your nipple and roll  it in your fingers until you feel a contraction. Stop and breathe through it ... when it ends start again.  This is also a great way to keep a slugish labor going or to get stronger contractions.

7.  Driving on Bumpy roads - Yes this can help. The bumy roads can get it going if baby is in a good position.

8. Eating spicy foods - but do not over do it .... nothing is worse than burping up hot foods during labor or having heart burn.

Aroma Therapy - sitting back with gentle music and scents of lavernder or jasmine . You can add these to a nice warm bath or rub these into the belly with a oil and cover these with a warm moist towel . A couple drops of each and caster oil rubbed all over our belly and lower belly wrapped into a towel. Sit back and relax.

Enema - not my choice but it does somtimes do the trick.

Rippening The Cervix

Acupunture - done by a professional whom knows the pressure points.

Evening prime rose massaged onto the cervix or inserted into the vigina onto the cervix can help soften the cervix and rippen it. ( Use only if you are 37 weeks or more)

Red rassberry tea - This is not just flavored tea. It is real red rassberry leaf tea which you could use through out the pregancy but you only drink 1-2 cups a day in the first trimester after that you may go to 2-4 cups a day but right before your due date you may drink all you want.

 Other Herbs Used to Stimulate Labor

Blue Cohosh Tinture - This is used only if you are under the care of your provider as it can cause high blood pressure in you and the baby.
 Homeopathic Blue cohosh or pulsetila would be safer choices to use but as always consult your care provider as to which is right for you. 
Check my page on Use of herbs for pregancy