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" Question I am now more than a week overdue and I would like to know if there is anything that I can do to safely encourage labour.  I don\u00B9t want to put my baby at risk, but I would like the pregnancy to be over.  What causes a baby to be overdue?   Answer Labour usually happens when the time is right. Some women seem to always deliver after their due date, whereas others have shorter pregnancies.  Unless there is any suggestion that the baby is having problems, there is no reason why nature should be interfered with. Nobody really knows what causes a baby to be overdue. The estimated date of delivery is just that, and the normal length of pregnancy in some women seems to be slightly longer than in others. There are some natural ways of bringing on labour;  Making love may do this because semen contains natural prostaglandin which softens the cervix. Exercise may also bring on labour.  In the past, an enema or a laxative such as castor oil used to be advised, but these are unpleasant and can make you feel unwell.  Salbutamol (Ventolin) is a drug that is used to delay labour in women who start to go into premature labour.  From your details it appears that you take salbutamol. The dose you are using will not be having a significant effect, but it would be wise not to use it excessively. Either opt for one the first options above, if they appeal, or try and forget about starting your labour off and enjoy your last days of freedom.  Yours sincerely The NetDoctor Medical Team   Other Qs &amp;amp; As Catheters during childbirth Concerned about a transverse lie pregnancy Concerned over breech position How can I prevent a retained placenta? I am afraid of giving birth Is Mendelson&amp;#039;s syndrome a risk if I am conscious during labour? My baby is facing the wrong way - will I have problems during labour? Placenta praevia Problems with a torn vagina Unaware of pregnancy until delivery What is placenta praevia? Will my fibroids cause problems in labour?   Last updated 05.08.2014 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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