If you’re like most pregnant women, you’re more than ready to have the baby on the due date. However, what do you do if the baby is late? You could consider doing nipple stimulation induce labor techniques that will help get the contractions and cervix dilation process started. Nipple stimulation is a casual way of stimulating a stalled labor with the aim of preparing the woman's body for labor, and as a viable alternative or adjunct to oxytocin for labor augmentation.

How Does It Work?

Nipple stimulation is based on the known mechanism of action of oxytocin. Manual stimulation of the nipple triggers the release of contraction-inducing oxytocin from the pituitary gland. Oxytocin then binds to the oxytocin receptors on the cell surfaces of the uterine muscle. Once it binds to the receptors, it results in the release of intra-cellular calcium. This increased intra-cellular calcium then stimulates contraction of the myometrial cells, and ultimately leads to organized uterine contractions.

NOTE

Nipple stimulation to induce labor techniques only work when your body is ready to go into labor. This means that your cervix will have started to soften, thin, and open for labor. If you haven’t had any complications, and your pregnancy is otherwise a healthy one, then it’s fine to try nipple stimulation.

How to Do Nipple Stimulation

Stimulate by hand or with an electric breast pump while following these procedures:

1. You only want to stimulate one nipple at a time.
2. Gently roll your nipple using your thumb and forefinger.
3. Using your thumb and forefinger, begin at the areola and gently pull down over the nipple causing it to become erect.You can achieve an erect nipple with a breast pump, or orally by licking/sucking the nipple.
4. Once the nipple is erect, continue stimulating for about a minute.
5. Then rest for 2 to 4 minutes.
6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 on your other nipple.
7. Once you have waited 2 to 4 minutes, go back to the nipple you started with and repeat the process.

NOTE

Nipple stimulation induce labor techniques can have very strong effects, triggering hypertonic uterine dysfunction. For this reason health experts say;

• That you should massage only one breast at a time.
• You should not stimulate the breast during a contraction.
• Discontinue nipple stimulation when the contractions are 3 minutes apart or a minute long.

Other Natural Ways to Induce Labor

You're just a week away from your due date and you're scouring the Internet for other natural ways to induce labor. Information can range from having sex or warm baths, to climbing stairs and eating spicy foods. Some other natural ways to induce labor could include;

1. Sex

During sexual arousal, oxytocin will increase rapidly, including a big burst at orgasm. Having sex will do two other things to help bring on labor.First of all, having sex can cause contractions, especially with orgasm. Secondly, a substance called prostaglandins is contained in the semen, and this helps to prepare your body for labor by softening the cervix. Having sex might not immediately cause you to go into labor, but it could help prepare your body for labor.

2. Stair Climbing

Besides the nipple stimulation induce labor technique, stair climbing is also one of the natual ways you can try. Stair climbing lets gravity do its job in getting baby into position and settle down. You will need to be leaning when climbing at approximately 40 - 45% angle to help your baby’s head to drop lower and put a little pressure on your cervix. Stair climbing is a great exercise and leaning forward may make the difference when encouraging the labor contractions to get going!

3. Certain Foods

There are certain foods that may help induce labor. Many tropical fruits, including kiwi, pineapple, papaya, and mango contain enzymes that might cause mild contractions. Pineapple is especially rich in Bromelain, which some studies suggest can help to soften the cervix. Other foods that might encourage labor include curry, and foods that contain basil and oregano. Eating garlic may help to start labor contractions by stimulating the bowels.

4. Pressure Points

In parts of Asia, acupuncture has been used for centuries to jump-start labor, and one study found that women who got acupuncture were more likely to go into labor naturally without medically inducing labor. Research your area to find a qualified Acupuncturist, and if you don’t like the idea of the fine, soft needles, ask them to use acupressure instead.

Acupressure uses the same concept, but fingers are used instead to apply pressure at pressure points. Some pressure points are thought to cause contractions, and one is located in the webbing between your thumb and forefinger. Another pressure point is located right above your ankle.

5. Warm Baths

Taking a warm relaxing bath affects you emotionally, and may help stimulate labor contractions. Soaking in a warm bath helps by removing any anxiety that can delay in the onset of labor. You'll want to make sure the water is not too hot though. When you're ready, fill the tub with comfortably warm water, turn the lights off, light some candles, and play your favorite relaxing music. Then sit back and enjoy the moment.