Are you ready for your pregnancy to be over? If you're at or past your due date, you may be wondering if you will be pregnant forever. If your body is almost ready for labor to begin, there are a few things that may help speed the process along. Read on to learn how to induce labor naturally.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here

Even medical means of inducing labor may not be successful unless your body is ready for labor to begin. Before trying any means of inducing labor, you need to have a discussion with your doctor. If he or she gives you the green light, you might want to consider trying one or more of the suggestions on this page to try to induce labor naturally.

The belief that sex might be an effective means of inducing labor comes from the fact that it involves two of the hormones usually administered to medically induce labor.

1. Semen includes prostaglandins similar to those administered to soften the cervix.http://www.thecradle.com/expertadvice/asknursebarbara/can-having-sex-induce-labor
2. Female orgasm produces uterine contractions which may help to stimulate labor contractions. An orgasm also releases oxytocin, which is another hormone administered to induce labor.http://www.pregnancy-info.net/labor_inducing_labor.html

Do not have sex if your waters have broken, as it could lead to infection.http://www.webmd.com/baby/inducing-labor-naturally-can-it-be-done

A University of North Carolina study found that women use recieved acupuncture were 40% more likely to go into labor spontaneously than those in the control group.http://www.webmd.com/baby/inducing-labor-naturally-can-it-be-done While this is only one study, acupuncture is a noninvasive, pain free procedure that you might want to consider.

There are a number of methods of inducing labor naturally which have not be established to be effective. Some may actually be dangerous, and should be avoided. Check with your doctor before trying any of the methods on this list.

1. Exercise
2. Eating spicy foods
3. Eating pineapple
4. Castor oil, which may produce nausea and diarrheahttp://www.webmd.com/baby/inducing-labor-naturally-can-it-be-done?page=2http://www.pregnancy-info.net/labor_inducing_labor.html
5. Herbal teas, such as cohosh, may promote uterine contractions, but may cause other problems, such as problems with clottinghttp://www.webmd.com/baby/inducing-labor-naturally-can-it-be-done?page=2
6. Evening primrose oil may contain prostaglandins that could soften the cervixhttp://www.webmd.com/baby/inducing-labor-naturally-can-it-be-done?page=2
7. Nipple stimulation may release oxytocinhttp://www.pregnancy-info.net/labor_inducing_labor.html