Inducing Labor: Natural Remedies to help induce labor & contractions

It's been a little less than 40 weeks since The Spoiled Mama's original mama Tamara Johnson found out she was pregnant with her second child. And by the looks of the five foot tall mama (who is carrying an approximate six and a half pounder), she is about to POP.

Since she's been looking into labor induction, we thought we'd share some ways mamas have helped the timer on their ovens go off just a tad earlier than scheduled.

And just as a note: Most childbirth experts are skeptical about non-medical methods for inducing labor. We advise that you consult with your doctor or midwife before trying any of the following techniques.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been the go-to method for labor induction for many centuries throughout parts of Asia. According to a study at the University of North Carolina, this ancient technique can be very effective for women who are 39 1/2 to 41 weeks pregnant and receive at least three acupuncture sessions. Although it needs more research, researcher Terry Harper told WebMD that the women in her study who received acupuncture were also half as likely to need a C-section. Check your health insurance plan to see if acupuncture services are covered.

Artificial Semen/Sex

This method could make your significant other significantly happy. It turns out that having sex can actually help you go into labor. Semen, which got you here in the first place, carries prostaglandin that is similar to what doctor's use in medication to help induce contractions. If this method isn't feasible, ask your doctor for prostaglandin, or the "artificial semen", that can help speed things along.

Spicy Food

Many Mamas have sworn that eating spicy foods can help add the heat that can make your bun pop early. Though there haven't been official studies on the subject, many swear that eating an extra spicy and garlicky dish caused enough indigestion that labor began just hours later. Myth or not, the Bay Area's Skipolini's Pizza has made a name for themselves by offering a "Prego Pizza." To make your own pregnancy pizza, check out Just Mommies' version, which comes chock full of meats, garlic and onions.

Castor Oil

Other antsy Mamas have tried ingesting castor oil, a vegetable oil derived from the castor bean, in order to jump start labor. Though there is a fairly high success rate with the oil, doctors warn of many dire side effects, including: diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. In short? It can get very messy.

Walking

If you can heave yourself off the couch, use the momentum to go on a walk around the block. Simply taking a nice stroll (or waddle!) can help safely induce labor by helping the baby move further down your pelvis and onto your cervix. Keep in mind: avoid hills wear comfortable shoes, especially if your feet are swollen walk at a comfortable pace that keeps your breath even walk for at least 30 minutes a day during the last two weeks of your pregnancy

Pineapple

We know you are probably yearning for a cold, tall Pina Colada -- but for now, you will have to settle for your Spoiled Mama peppermint sugar scrub and eating a bit of pineapple. It turns out the prickly yellow fruit contains an enzyme that can mimic the effects of a prostaglandin. Again, since there hasn't been any official studies, this results of this method can vary from woman to woman.

According to WebMd, pineapple is safe during pregnancy and some women ate half a pineapple before contractions began, while others drank its fruity juice for weeks.