When you have reached 40+ weeks of pregnancy, you may feel like you can no longer take the discomfort of being pregnant and wait for labor to start on its own. Many expectant mothers look into how to start labor naturally. Your midwife may even send you to an obstetrician when you reach this past due stage. It is a fact that most obstetricians will suggest some form of medical labor induction to start labor. Any mother that has been through this could explain the harsh side effects involved. The risks of medical induction may be the reason many expectant mothers are searching for ways to naturally start labor.

You might have already come across various methods on how to start labor naturally. You might even have tried sex, EPO, walking, spine adjustments by chiropractic, bouncing on the birth ball, and spicy foods, in order to start your labor naturally.

Acupuncture in another commonly suggested way to naturally start labor. Some people are skeptical about acupuncture for labor. It has been shown in several studies, however, that by stimulating specific acupuncture points, the body is gently urged to begin the process of childbirth. You may experience a small amount of bruising where the needles were inserted; this is the only side effect. Needles used in acupuncture to naturally start labor and the fear of the pain they may cause stress and anxiety in the mother. The acupuncture needles used are solid, yet extremely thin. That's why there is very little or no pain during the treatment.

Most acupuncture specialists will not make house calls to perform the treatment; this could be a problem for an expectant mother who is past her due date.

Acupressure is another method shown to be very effective in bringing on labor. A simple and comfortable way to naturally encourage labor is acupressure. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture because the same points of the body are used, but without the needles. However, acupressure utilizes thumbs and fingertips rather than needles. In order to stimulate the acupressure points to start labor, the points are first located according to some simple measurements. Using just your fingertips or thumbs, pressure is given to points on the body. The pressure could be applied as a small rotating movement, static pressure, or in a pressure-release manner.

Sometimes, only one acupressure treatment is enough to "kick-start" labor but usually the treatment is repeated in a few hours time. Acupressure for labor is beneficial not only in inducing labor naturally, but is also extremely helpful in relieving labor contraction pains, back pains, and nausea, that are often associated with pregnancy.

What is wonderful in acupressure for labor is that it could be used at home. Because acupressure is simple, a person with no previous experience could use this method with great success, just by following basic instructions. Hence, more and more pregnant women and their partners are using acupressure for conditions related to pregnancy, including the induction of labor. Midwives and natural health care doctors agree that acupressure is a safe and effective way to naturally start labor.