is something your doctor may consider if your pregnancy has gone on long enough. Watching your due date come and go can be really frustrating. The last stretch of pregnancy is really tough - your due date is something you look forward to! But when it arrives, and nothing happens, it can be very discouraging.

What Is Induction?

This is something doctors may choose to do if there's usually a medical need for it. Labor induction involves encouraging labor to start, usually by using medications or medical techniques.

Why Would Induction Be Required?

This may be performed if any of the following occurs:

- your water has broken;

- there is an infection in your uterus;

- you are a high-risk pregnancy;

- your are one or two weeks overdue.

How Is It Done?

There are various ways in which induction is performed:

Stripping the membranes - the membrane that connects the amniotic sac to the uterus is separated. This causes the body to release hormones called prostaglandins, which may bring on contractions.

Breaking your water - your doctor will break your water if it hasn't already, which should stimulate labor to start.

Giving prostaglandin - prostaglandin is a hormone that stimulates labor. Your doctor may administer this through a cream or tablet, which softens the cervix.

Giving oxytocin - this is administered through an IV, and requires the mother and baby to be closely monitored.

Pressure points - not only can pressure points help to ease the pain of labor naturally, they can also induce labor naturally. Research acupressure via the internet, or find an acupressure specialist that can show you exactly where these pressure points are on your body.