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Walk

If you are having contractions but are not yet in labor, walking can help get things going. Walking allows your hips to sway side to side, which will help bring the baby into position to be born. Also, by standing upright, you're using gravity to move the baby down into the pelvis. Another plus: It usually feels good to walk when you are contracting. And of course, even if you don't go into full-blown labor, at least you're getting some exercise.

Sex

Making love can be one of the last things on a woman's mind toward the end of her pregnancy. She feels clumsy and big and may be experiencing a lot of vaginal pressure. But believe it or not, sex is one of the things you can do to get your labor under way. When you and your partner make love, his semen (which contains prostaglandins) can stimulate contractions.

Castor oil

For decades, women have been using castor oil to help induce labor. In fact, many old school physicians and midwives swear by it. It can provide good results if you are already in early labor. It is believed to work by causing spasms in the intestines, which surround the uterus toward the end of pregnancy. These spasms, in turn, cause the uterus to cramp, which might result in labor.

You can take 1 to 4 ounces of castor oil mixed with 6 ounces of orange juice to cut its oiliness. You'll want to drink it quickly because of the unpleasant taste. Some practitioners suggest taking a single dose; others suggest repeated doses depending on your response. Keep in mind that castor oil usually will cause your bowels to empty within about three hours. With luck, soon after that, you will be in true labor.

Spicy food

Some people swear that it was that extra-hot enchilada from their favorite Mexican restaurant that brought them face to face with their new baby. Unfortunately, the statistics are out on this one. You could try it, but if you have a full stomach when you are in labor, you might vomit and see that enchilada again--in less-than-appetizing circumstances.

Blue and black cohosh

These herbs are used often to induce labor. They may be particularly effective if you are having weak or irregular contractions. Blue cohosh is believed to make uterine contractions stronger, while black cohosh may regulate the contractions. Together, they work to make contractions more effective. Unfortunately, no studies have determined that these natural treatments are safe, or whether all versions of the herb available for purchase are of equal potency. Be sure to discuss any herbal treatment with your practitioner before attempting it, to see if it is a good idea in your situation.

Nipple stimulation

Some women massage their nipples as a way to induce labor. This stimulation brings about the release of oxytocin, which is the natural form of pitocin. Oxytocin causes contractions, which sometimes evolve into labor.

Most practitioners are not enthusiastic about this method of inducing labor, because it has been known to lead to excessively long, strong uterine contractions sometimes resulting in fetal heart rate slowing. Unless your practitioner advises it and is monitoring your progress closely, nipple stimulation is not recommended as a means for beginning labor.

Stripping the membranes

Your practitioner may offer to "strip your membranes" to help start your labor. This procedure usually feels like a vaginal examination, although it sometimes can be painful or cause cramping. The practitioner places her gloved finger through the cervix and sweeps the amniotic membranes free of their attachment to the lower part of the uterine cavity. This process is believed to release hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which help to ready your body for labor.

While some experts believe that stripping the membranes causes you to go into labor that day, the only research on this procedure was done by a group of midwives who stripped the membranes of a group of their patients at every visit to the office after 38 weeks gestation. Their findings showed that patients who had this procedure were less likely to go past their due dates. According to the study, the procedure didn't seem to pose any complications and didn't cause the patients' waters to break.

Even though your practitioner would be the one to do the procedure (vs. the other methods that can be done by you at home), we include it here because it is a non-medical intervention.

I have three children 7, 4, and 3, and I am 28 weeks pregnant with the fourth. My first came naturally with no help, my second I tried to take caster oil and threw it up, YUCK! But I did go to the mall and me and my mother walked for like 2 or 3 hours, through contractions and everything with my last two and both times that threw me into labor. With my last one I had the security guard chasing me out of the mall to make sure that he didnt have to deliver the baby right there. Seriously , yes sex works but when it doesnt and the spicy food and caster oil and exercise ball fail, get to walking girl, shell be on her way!

My girlfriend was 42.3 weeks preg and at the hospital to be induced which she didn't want, and the Dr told her the only way he wouldn't induct her was if in 2 hours she was in established labour!! Well she was determined not to be induced and started walking up and down the stair case at the hospital. Well guess what within 2 hours she had put herself into established labour. She had tryed everything previous to that day, sex with her husband, even 3 membrane sweeps, nothing worked, but the stairs. Hope this helps.

The simple answer is babies come when babies are ready.

Most women will go over the due date by 10 - 14 days because your due date is based off your LMP.

There are things you can try, but nothing is a guarantee:

Walking

Going up and down stairs

Driving on a bumpy road

Sex (it's the sperm that soften the cervix)

Eating Pineapples

Taking a warm bath for at least 1 hour

unfortunately as a nurse and mother of 4 you can try all the home remedies you want but that baby will come out when it is ready... I will tell you this I knew mine where coming when I had a burst of energy and a desire to clean everything again even though it was clean. watch for lower back pain my first one that is what my labor was nothing extremely noticeable at first but lower back pain and when I decided to go to hospital I was already dilating and they had to break my water. good luck enjoy every moment with that beautiful baby while they think mom is cool and great and listen to every story they tell and cuddle and play because teen years come to quick and then it becomes uncool to hang with mom. lol

Walk around the mall

Sex

Squat exercises **recommended to me by an RN

Baby will come when it's ready. But if theres no sign soon you can always ask to be induced, unless you are not for that procedure.

i did have indian food the night before i went into labour with my little boy. not sure if it was the food or just the fact that i was already a week overdue. i have also heard that going for a drive on a bumpy road will help. don't go too far away from a hospital though.

I have some advice. Keep that baby in for as long as you can! Seriously just take some time to yourself for the last time you will ever get it. I really wish I had listened to that before I had my first one. Now I am on my second and wish I had listened. Your baby will come when it is good and ready, and probably when YOU least expect it. Believe it!

Just enjoy yourself for those last few days or hours. Congrats and good luck!

Unfortunately a "due date" is just a guesstimate and seldom right. Baby will come when it's good and ready. When baby's lungs have fully developed it lets out a hormone that sends you into labor. It is the same hormone that brings in your milk and helps baby bond with you. Don't worry, baby wont forget to be born, you just have to have patience.

I am so with you on this one! I'm due friday the 13. Only 1cm and soft. Like nothing at all!!!!

Anyway, my friend bought me a one hour accupresure massage. I'm doing it tomarrow (wednesday) at 8:30am. She SWEARS it put her labor 2 years ago with her first. I'm hoping! It can't hurt anything.