Natural ideas, options and diet recommendations

Natural Approaches

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in priming the body to go into labour and if you end up being medically induced often this is more successful if you have had acupuncture prior to induction. Sometimes labour is delayed in starting because the baby is lying in a favourable position in the pelvis so acupuncture can help babies get into an optimum position.

Nipple simulation

Nipple stimulation has the ability of helping to release hormone 'oxytocin' which makes the uterus to contract. Nipple stimulation can help get an overdue  labour started, or make weak contractions more efficient and powerful.
How: Gently rub, brush or sucking of your nipples for about 10-15 minutes every 2-3 hours is most beneficial.  Labour can often start or contractions become more powerful after 4-6 hrs.

Sex

Sex is good, LOVE MAKING is better. When sex is pleasurable then more hormones are released and this can help labour commence naturally!
When the women is sexually aroused she secretes 'prostaglandins' which help her cervix soften and ripen ready for the contractions to start to dilate her cervix. When the man ejaculates inside her near her cervix the man's semen which contains prostaglandins will also help her cervix soften and become ripe; ready for labour to start and contractions to dilate her cervix.
When she has an orgasm her body releases the hormone 'oxytocin' which she needs to make her uterus contract.

The physical positions of sex like the pelvic rocking, forward poistions and side positions can help the baby into the opitmum position in her pelvis which will encourage the labour to start naturally.

Naturopathy / Medical herbs

Always tell your LMC what you have been taking or seek advice from them. If they are not open to recommend something to take then consult a qualified naturopath. See recommended practitioners.

Evening primrose oil

• Place 2 or 3 capsules of evening primrose oil high in the vagina just before lying down (they dissolve very quickly). Can be repeated 2-3 times at 24 hour intervals.

Castor oil.. Note this is not evidenced based and some LMC's will discourage you from using this method.

• Mix 1 tablespoon of castor oil in 1/2 cup of orange juice - warning; this tastes terrible! The aim is that you will get your bowels to empty and then start your uterus contracting. If after 1hr and nothing has happened; repeat and wait. Labour often starts within 24hrs.
• If it doesn't work the 2nd time it probably means that your body is not quite ready. Wait at least 24 hours then repeat. 
• Castor oil is a smooth muscle relaxant and often you will get a windy tummy then diarrhoea a few times. If this happens after the first amount then don't take the second.

Herbal or Homeopathic remedies.

There are several tonics you can take from the pharmacy ask your LMC what they would recommend.

AS WITH ANY TREATMENTS WHETHER MEDICAL OR NATURAL MONITORING BABY MOVEMENTS IS IMPORTANT.

HEALTHY HAPPY BABIES MOVE with their normal patterns if concerned seek advice/help from you LMC.