Ever heard of the drugs Oxytocin, Prostaglandin, Pitocin or Cytotec? These are the names of some of the more frequently used drugs used to induce labor in women who have a need for such a procedure.

Prostaglandin gel may get the job done by itself, but more often you find it used in conjunction with Pitocin. Pitocin is the synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone oxytocin, which causes uterine contractions. Pitocin has many negative side effects and long term side effects are still in debate. All of these drugs cause hard uterine contractions that are only adding stress on the mother as well as the baby.

Another, more natural way to avoid these worries altogether is by employing the methods taught b maternity acupressure. Maternity acupressure uses only application of pressure on specific “pressure points” on the mother's body, and can be safely used at home by following basic instructions. Labor acupressure is a very easy to use, hands-on technique and extremely safe.