Making the choice to start inducing labor at 39 weeks is something that you and your doctor should definitely talk about.
At that stage you can't afford to wait much longer as the risk to your baby will increase as time goes by.
Medically, there are several methods used to start labor - and the first thing that your doctor will check is the condition of your cervix.
If it hasn't yet dilated, softened and begun to open up in preparation for labor then steps will be taken to help it do so.
Most of these steps either involve using hormones or mechanical techniques to help your cervix become 'ripe' for labor.
Some of these steps may even induce actual labor! Keep in mind that there are some risks associated with medical labor induction.
As you might have heard, there are also several steps that you can take from the comfort of your own home to begin inducing labor at 39 weeks.
Although there's much debate as to how effective these methods are, it isn't going to hurt to try them.
This may come as a shock, but the most widely touted natural method of inducing labor at 39 weeks is sex.
That's right - sex has been known to help due to the fact that semen contains substances that can actually stimulate contractions.
Apart from that, orgasms have been known to help too, as have other alternatives such as nipple stimulation and maternity acupressure.
All things said and done, your next step should be to seek medical advice before taking any steps to start inducing labor at 39 weeks.