Are there any techniques I can try at home to get my labor going?
No do-it-yourself methods have been proven consistently both safe and effective. Here’s the scoop on some of the techniques you may have heard about:
• Sexual intercourse: Semen contains some prostaglandins and having an orgasm may stimulate some contractions. A few studies have shown that having sex at term may decrease the need for labor induction, but others have found no effect on promoting labor.
• Nipple stimulation: Stimulating your nipples releases oxytocin and may help start labor, but more research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of this method. Because nipple stimulation may overstimulate your uterus, your contractions and your baby’s response to them should be monitored, so don’t try this at home.
• Castor oil: Castor oil is a strong laxative. Although stimulating your bowels may cause some contractions, there’s no definitive proof that it helps induce labor — and you’re likely to find the effect on your gut very unpleasant.
• Herbal remedies. A variety of herbs are touted as useful for labor induction, but there isn’t enough evidence to prove that any of them are both safe and effective. Some are risky because they can overstimulate your uterus and may be unsafe for your baby for other reasons as well.
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