natural ways to induce labour - Pregnancy

IFindHope

13/11/2007 at 15:55

when is it safe to start trying some of the techniques? im 37 weeks this week and thinking about takin rapsberry leaf tea now.. has anyone else tried things and at what stage? to be honest im getting fed up and uncomfortable and i no he will come when he is ready but helping hand wont hurt will it? what do u think?
xx holly xx

gmac

13/11/2007 at 16:06

I was just looking at this page - you might find it useful http://www.babyexpert.com/index.php/articles/editorialgallery/60667

I'm not sure about when you can/can't do things - I'm trying to keep labour at bay until I go in for my section!

Gill x

han21

13/11/2007 at 16:28

Hi-

I started drinking the rasb leaf tea when i was 37 weeks and i must say although i was still 15 days late after an induction at 12 days- when the labour got going it progressed really well and in my opinion i think that was due to the tea- they say that it doesnt nessesarily make u go into labour any quicker but that it helps with ur contractions when it goes going.

After 42 weeks u feel very pissed off and dont want to be prg anymore but i tried everything.. and she didnt want to come out at all! I think i would drink the tea again but i wouldnt bother with all the other methods as it was a waste of time for me- they come when they r good and ready

Hannah xx

CarolynB3

13/11/2007 at 17:23

I have been massaging with clary sage oil and that has done sweet FA - apart from make me smell like tea bag in bed!!!

I asked my consultant on Monday what could I do to help move baby's head down a bit for my induction on Friday and she said nothing...I mentioned the 7 pineapples and she said all it would do would give me a tummy ache...she was right as I ate 1 whole pineapple on saturday and it felt like I had dipped my teeth in acid and then I got hideous heartburn!

However, I did drink raspberry leaf tea with my first and whilst I was induced at 38 weeks with her, I am sure that the tea helped my cervix to soften etc...but then again when they checked me on Monday I was 1.5 cm dilated with a very soft cervix at 36+6 and I haven't taken any tea...confused? I am!!

As Han21 says sometimes they just dont want to come out!!

C.xxx

IFindHope

13/11/2007 at 17:30

cally i wonder if its all coincidence sometimes? people take things or do things then baby comes a few days later... hmm!
are you ready for friday??!?!!?!?!? wow!
as for the pineapple ill give that a miss too i think!
xx

janemheap

13/11/2007 at 17:38

Cally - what exactly do you have to massage with the clary sage?

CarolynB3

13/11/2007 at 17:42

Yes, I dont recommend the pineapple at all lol. I am sure it is a coincidence - though was talking to my mil about castor oil and she said the reason it works is because the stomach cramps aggrevate the uterus which can put you into labour...she was a nurse and said definitely NOT to do it! I have to admit that labour is tough enough without feeling crap from a stomach upset!

I reckon I am just about ready now - got my rescue remedy today (my sister recommended it as I hate my waters being broken and she said it worked or her) and also got some arnica cooling gel to put on my lady bits after the birth!!! All I need to do is sort out some snacks/drinks for hubby. xxx

gsmummy55

13/11/2007 at 17:45

Well I heard that sex helps to break your waters and start contractions...also driving over bumpy roads...etc. A bungee jump might do it! :lol:
At 37 weeks ur full term and labour could start any time so I wouldn't worry. Sex really does work allegedly lol but I dont think I'm gonna feel like it then, I'm shattered now at 16 wks. x x x

theemeraldcity Platinum member

14/11/2007 at 01:32

my midwife told me sex is best thing to bring on labour as sperm contains prostaglandins which ripen the cervix its the natural version of the gels they use to induce labour in hospital. i will try just about anything a the mo, as had a growth scan yesterday and my baby is 7 lb already, im 34 + 6. the midwife thinks he will make an early appearance on his own but im willing to give the little fella a helping hand. x

Emalenna

14/11/2007 at 04:09

I've also read that sperm can help to bring on labour - but apparently it works best when taken orally! x

ssarajayne Platinum member

14/11/2007 at 04:20

My midwife said try doing the three B's Balti Bath Bonk. The next day he made an apperance......

Sara

blueybluey Platinum member

14/11/2007 at 04:52

well I tried the 1st two B's last night and although I feel like sex, i think it has become a physical impossibility...lol. May try anything soon though, i need it out already! x

CarolynB3

14/11/2007 at 08:03

Janemheap - i have read you are supposed to massage your bump or put drops in your bath. I bought mine from boots and some plain carrier oil.

I am desperate for sex - but ever since I have had a bump hubby says it is like doing it with someone else in the room lol. I am considering tying him to the bed...though they say that swallowing is the best way...but I am damned if he is going to have all the fun! Anyway surely as I was 1.5cm on Monday he could get quite a good direct hit on my cervix...sorry that sounds really disgusting..oh no am going to have to waddle to loo as am in danger of wetting myself laughing.......!!!!!!!!!!!

snowhite

14/11/2007 at 08:08

They say drink rasberry leaf tea in the final trimester, as it doesn't actually bring labour on, it just says to make it much faster when it has started. Other things, are eating Pineapple - but do you know you must eat 7 in one day for it to make effect? And the reason why if you eat that many it will induce you is because it will make your bowels move which should help contractions going, just like castor oil, which rumbles your stomach bowels and clears your stomach (diareahh) and all empties your uterus.
Curry - same effect as the above.
Sex - sperm softens the cervix.
xx

linzimc88

14/11/2007 at 10:52

well i have to say i'm desperate for my little girl to come, i am so fed up! im now 39+1 and for a couple of weeks have tried everything! i've had tonnes of long hot baths, been for several really long walks. the walks do make me feel a bit crampy and as though baby is very low down though. hubby and i have had more sex than i can be bothered with at this stage! lol. i've eaten loads of spicy curries even though i hate them! and i have just started on raspberry leaf. ooo and i also have an exercise ball which i sit and bounce on instead of jus sittin on the sofa!

Past few days i've felt crampy but nothing else to suggest baby wants to come now! i have a feeling she will be stubborn and make me wait a long time!

wannanother Platinum member

14/11/2007 at 18:53

hi my midwife, only yesterday said that in order to avoid needing induced....from 37 weeks we should have lots of sex and put a pillow under my bum afterwards (for around half to an hour)so sperm can soften cervix as apparently sperm has same hormone in it as the gel they use in induction, she also said rasberry leaf tea and fresh, not tinned pineapple!hope this helps, i want to give birth in the new midwife led unit so am hoping to go into labour naturally too

Emma_Gifford Platinum member

15/11/2007 at 07:10

I heard they actually use pigs sperm in the prostglandin gel used for induction!

nice eh! anyone got a handy pig PMSL

IFindHope

15/11/2007 at 10:20

lol jinxy thats minging!!

kiba3850

16/11/2007 at 05:07

Hiya after being 2 weeks overdue and induced with my first child I was determined for it not to happen again. From 36 weeks I started taking 6 raspberry leaf tablets and 2 evening primrose capsules a day. 9 days before my due date my husband gave me a lovely foot and leg massage and that night I had my 'show - coincidence or not I do not know but the best thing of all is I had my beautiful son the following day - a few niggley contractions for about 90 mins then 20 mins of 'real' labour !! Raspberry Leaf and Evening Primrose don't induce labour just prepare body and it certainly worked for me. Hope this advice helps

[Modified by: kiba385 on November 16, 2007 09:10 AM]

laura1809

16/11/2007 at 16:30

Hi,
raspberry leaf tea is def way to go! I was drinking bout 4 cups a day from bout 37 weeks and was only in labour for 7 hours in total from first niggle to baby being born.
The night before I decided we were having sex as was only thing left not tried. Was last thing felt like really but was desperate and OH didn't complain!!! & hours later labour began so am convinced sex started it but the tea helped it go quickly.
Hope you find something that works for you.
xx