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Ask A Doula
Questions and Answer

Q.I had heard that there are natural ways that you can start labour. This is my third and I have had to have help by the medical field for starting labour with the other two. What are the natural ways or what a person can do at home?

Thank you,
Janice

A. Since you have a history of going past your due date, I would stress that with my caregiver at the next visit. Some babies take longer to gestate than others, especially with a family history. Due dates are arrived at using a standard for ALL women. Are your periods always 28 days apart? Do you always ovulate on the 14th day of your cycle?

Simply waiting for labor to begin, and taking the time to take long walks, drink plenty of fluids and stay rested is your best bet. Perhaps you can get a massage with a licensed massage therapist who can work the trigger points, or go for accupuncture a chiropractic adjustment. Loving sexual relations will often elicit contractions as well. If you'd like to try some other methods, such as are listed below, please check with your caregiver before using.

I have included a list from Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year, by Susun Weed -

• visualization - imagine the uterus beginning to contract - the cervix softening, ripening and opening. The mind is a very powerful tool and this remedy will work well in combination with the others.
• Caulophyllum 200X is a homeopathic remedy. The dose can be repeated every half hour for two hours.
• Caster oil mixed with a little vodka and a little orange juice (two ounces each) repeated up to three times and then followed by a hot shower and perhaps an enema (if one is even necessary). This will give you lots of cramping and diarrhea so be prepared.
• Blue Cohosh tincture, 3-8 drops in a glass of war water or tea. Repeat every half hour for several hours until contractions are regular. If labor is not regular after 4 hours, use a dropperful of the tincture under the tongue every hour for up to 4 more hours or until contractions are strong and consistent.

Please use caution and trust that your baby will come when the time is right. Without the help of a knowledgeable caregiver, using these herbs and homeopathics should probably not be taken on your own.

Ilana Stein has been working professionally with pregnant women since 1983 as a childbirth educator, labor assistant and breastfeeding consultant. She was originally certified by the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth (The Bradley Method), The Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE), and Doulas of North America (DONA). She teachs the ALACE Labor Assistant training workshop nationwide. She has spoken at conferences and at the New York University Graduate Program in Midwifery about labor support. She is a Positive Pregnancy and Parenting Fitness (PPPF) instructor and La Leche League Leader. She is also a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor at the local YMCA. She volunteers as the coordinator of the annual New York Area YM-YWCA Women’s Wellness Weekend.