Go for a walk

• Walking or stair climbing is thought to induce labor because there is pressure on the baby's head from pressing on your cervix. If this does not induce labor, it will help turn the baby into a better position for delivery.
  
  Make sure you do this slowly, as intense, vigorous walking will tire you, and some energy needs to be saved for delivery. It should be a leisurely stroll.
  
  

Have Sex

• Sex will release a hormone called oxytocin. This hormone causes the uterus to contract. In addition, semen contains prostaglandins. This substance will help the cervix become softer.
  
  If sex is not comfortable, nipple stimulation can also help induce labor. This may take more effort than sex, but it will release oxytocin as well.
  
  

Complementary Therapies

• Massages, teas and homeopathic remedies can be helpful, but consult a doctor before trying any of these. Different people react differently to these remedies and some women could experience harmful or unpleasant side effects.
  
  

Consult your doctor

• Before you try to induce labor yourself, always check with your physician. If you are a high-risk pregnancy or have another medical condition, these home remedies might not help induce labor. They could have adverse effects, leading to a difficult delivery.
  
  

When to induce

• If you are beyond your 42nd week of pregnancy and labor has not naturally started, then inducing labor is essential for the health of you and your baby.
  
  If your water has broken, but you are not experiencing contractions, labor should be induced.
  
  If there is an infection in the uterus, or there is not enough amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, labor should be induced.
  
  High blood pressure or diabetes are conditions where the baby's health will be at risk, and labor should be induced if the pregnancy is prolonged.