Labor is the process by which your body goes through to deliver your new baby. Sometimes this process becomes more complicated when for unforseen reasons, the labor extends and the baby seems to be wanting to take his or her sweet time to appear on the world's stage! This is when inducing labor may be considered. There are several ways to induce labor: through the use of drugs, or more natural alternatives like maternity acupressure.



Labor is not often induced before the baby is sufficiently developed: for instance it would seldom be considered before the baby's lungs were strong enough to survive outside your womb. Your doctor will look at several factors before deciding with you whether or not labor should be induced. Your overall condition, the condition of the baby, and whether or not your cervix has begun to dilate are the primary factors they will look at. Thirteen percent of all deliveries in the United States are induced, so it not all that uncommon. Being past one's due date is the usual reason.