Many expectant mothers have seen their due date come and go, only to still be pregnant and miserable. The only upside to going past that date is freaking out strangers when they ask when you're due. Aside from being admitted to the hospital and undergoing an induction -- a process during which drugs are administered to bring on labor and ultimately delivery -- are there ways you can take matters into your own hands? Keep in mind, that due date is simply an estimate, not a hard and fast day on which your baby absolutely will make his or her way into the world. In fact only about 5 percent of moms deliver on their due dates. But if you're in that unfortunate percentage who is well past that time, then you may feel sad and cheated, particularly with those hormones in overdrive. Take it easy and give a few tactics a try before rushing to your obstetrician and begging for an induction. If your cervix is already slightly effaced (thinning), then that's good news. You may hasten the process with the participation of a willing partner - prostaglandins present in sperm can help soften the cervix further, and orgasms will cause the uterus to contract. Walking has a similar effect for those who are already effaced.
Putting pressure on the cervix can help dilate it further. Other ideas many experienced moms swear by include spicy or caffeinated foods and drinks. It is true that food that taxes your digestive system may cause contractions, but you're more likely to cause some fierce heartburn and puffy (or puffier) ankles. More controversial ideas are taking a dose of castor oil and nipple stimulation. Castor oil is said to stimulate prostaglandin production, like sex, but it also can bring on terrible diarrhea. Nipple stimulation, in which you rub your nipples, releases oxytocin, a labor-inducing hormone. But for it to be effective and safe, it must be done in a hospital to monitor the baby's heart rate, which can fluctuate during the process. And it's recommended to be done three times a day, for one hour at a time. Who has time for that when you're preparing for baby's arrival? Simply relax - most of the time, nature will take its course sooner rather than later, and it'll be worth the wait when you see that newborn's face.