natural ways to induce labor?

Alexis - posted on 01/23/2010

Thank you I appreciate it:)

Christine - posted on 01/22/2010

HI, I am 39 weeks and am really over it!! My first arrived at 38 weeks and weighed only 3.1kg. Seeing as the labour time is about 50% less than your first, I was hoping that I would be able to get through with just gas this time but seeing as their is no sign of him yet, I am starting to worry that I may have to re think my 'game plan' due to his size!! My midwife has recommended the following:
raspberry tea/tablets (this also helps with your recovery after the birth), sex, walking and if there is still no movement by my next appointment then she has suggested a 'strip and stretch' - which is much like an internal examination but the membranes around your cervix are 'disturbed'. This should bring on your labour within 12-24 hours. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Lissete - posted on 01/21/2010

i had my son on 01/18 as well , and i also tried everything under the sun to induce labor since i was loosing my mucus plug and the pressure / bleeding was unbearable. i did castor oil , red raspberry leaf / blue cohosh tea. since the information out there about natural induction is conflicting I'm not sure if these things worked , maybe it was just time. but congrats on your new baby!

Michelle - posted on 01/20/2010

Congratulations on the birth of your son, glad everything worked out for you.

Lisa - posted on 01/20/2010

I hav had two membrane sweeps and just drank 2oz's (before reading i shouldnt hav) mixed with raspberry leaf tea a few minutes ago, im 2days overdue now and desperate cos im so very uncomfortable hope everything is ok and if not she's has stubborn has her father!!

Alexis - posted on 01/12/2010

oh ya i had a sweep done at 38 weeks.definetly helped

Mel - posted on 01/11/2010

Well im 39wks this wed an am thinkin ov tryin natural ways to induce labour....have read all above an think i will try avin a nice warm bath tomorow an a long walk followed by a few bounces on my ball to see if anyfin happens (fingers crossed) cnt stand the drinkin the oil i'd just be sick :( My midwife did say to me last wednesday that if it hadnt happened buy 40wk date when i got to see her again she will do what they call a sweep???? Thanks 4 all ideas girls! :)x

Alexis - posted on 01/11/2010

THANKS EVERYONE!I GOT THE OKAY FROM MY DOC TO DO THE CASTOR OIL SO I TOOK 2 TBSP. WHEN I WAS 3CM AND 70 PERCENT EFFACED..I LATER HAD SEX AND THEN WENT TO SLEEP.I WAS HAVING CONTRCTIONS BUT WASNT PAYING ATTN TO THEM SO WHEN I WOKE UP WENT FOR A 2 MILE WALK AND THEY GOT REALLY BAD SO WE WENT IN AND I WAS FULLY EFFACED AND 6CM..SO SOMETHING WORKED.HAHA.I GAVE BIRTH 1/8/10 AND NOW I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL HEALTHY SONHE WEIGHED 8LBS.09OZ.!!!!

Megan - posted on 01/07/2010

When I went to the doctor yesterday she checked me and said I was at 1cm..50 percent effaced. She said at this point we can try having sex, walking, nipple stimulation ect...however, she did point out that if my baby isn't ready and my body isn't ready then it will not work....so maybe your baby just isn't ready? Don't feel bad...neither is mine!
I did read somewhere that something like 70-75 percent of women went into labor within 72 hours of doing nipple stimulation.

Hillary - posted on 01/05/2010

Quoting Breanna :

Im 39 weeks due in two days this is my first baby i for sure thought i would have gone by now i went in monday for a check up and i was 3 cm dialated 90% efface. i tried everything from spicy food to squatting exercising im all out ideas as well.

If you're 90% effaced and 3cm, you're about to go into labor already. I wouldn't bother pushing it.

Warm (not hot) baths can help, and don't underestimate the power of relaxation. Towards the end of pregnancy, stress can certainly build up, but it tends to delay things rather than move them along. So dim the lights, light a candle with a pleasing but not overpowering scent, play some relaxing music, and take a warm bath with lots of bubbles.

Possibly after sex :D Oxytocin is the hormone that causes contractions and milk let down, and it's released when you have an orgasm (not just sex). That's why your uterus will get hard after a good toss.

Another suggestion from my birthing class (that I couldn't possibly try because I have no balance) is the pilates balance ball. Apparently sitting/bouncing gently on that can be a big help in both getting things going and relieving pain and discomfort during the process. They're rated by height, so it was suggested by my instructor to get the size one higher than your height so it wouldn't be too small. You can take it to the delivery room too :D Just make sure you have something to hang onto so you don't fall off.

Alexis - posted on 01/03/2010

Quoting Christine:

Quoting alexis:

Quoting Megan:

When is it considered safe to start trying to induce yourself? 38 weeks...no clue if I'm dialated until wed.

at 37 weeks you are considered term.so your baby would be fine if it was born..obviously u'd ask ur ob before u try anything but if u get the okay i hear its better than being induced with pitocin..

Actually, 37-39 weeks is considered "Late Pre-term Labor." You're not considered at term until the 40 week mark. While you can begin trying to induce labor, those last couple weeks are really good for the baby as he/she is gaining the layers of fat needed to keep them healthy before your milk comes in (if you're planning on breastfeeding). Also - babies born at the 37/38 week mark can have trouble regulating their body temperature and can have weak sucking reflexes (making breastfeeding more difficult), so you really want to try and be patient for that 40 week mark. When people ask him about inducing early labor my doctor always says "Go home and read a magazine because after the baby is born you won't have time for that for a really long time."

 

Also - with things like castor oil and sex as natural ways to induce - a lot of times you just end up with diarrhea and a sore vagina. Then if you DO go into labor it's that much more uncomfortable :)

okay but my doctor says term is 37 weeks.my daughter was born at 37 weeks and she was and is a healthy lil girl!Im almost 39 weeks pretty sure my baby will be fine.but thanks everyone.i really appreciate the advice:D

Kevlyn - posted on 01/03/2010

Quoting Heather:

Quoting Kevlyn:

Quoting alexis:

Quoting Heather:

i was told to take caster oil. i did it last sunday, it did throw me into contractions, but my body refused to dialate any more. one of my friends did it with her son, and she had him later that night. if u look it up online most say to take 2 to 4 oz. do not do this!! all tat will happen if it does not work is u will have severe diarreah and stomach cramps. i and my friend only took 2 T, one at a time, a few hours between each. no cramps or anything, and labor did start. my doc said i was having true labor contractions, but my body didnt want to dialate any more. i have been at 2 1/2 cm for 3 weeks now. it works about 50 % of the time, mostly for woman who are already dialated, having false contractions, and 38+ weeks. hope this helps!

thanks!so im 2cm dialated 38 weeks and baby has dropped and is head down..so i wanna try im just scared..some people told me that if i try to induce myself it will make it worse and am more likely to have to have a c-section:(.but at this point im willing to try..did ur friend have any complications?and i should only take 2 tblsp?or tsp?

I would not try the castor oil. I did with my second pregnancy and it got me no where. If you look it up on the internet you will see that they have found that it can make the baby have his first bowel movement inside of you and can inhale/swollow it. And that can cause major problems. I would not do that if i were you! Try lots of walking and sex!!!!

from what i have read, the only conection to the babys first bowl movement and caster oil is the the baby was over 40 weeks, and the mother took more than 2 oz (most sites say to take up to 4 oz) at once. that would make anyone go! plus the babys being over 40 weeks, they were ready to have a bowl movement anyway. everyone i know that did it only took 1 or 2 tbs and had no problems, including myself.

I still wouldn't try it unless I asked my doctor... I did try it with my second pregnancy, like I already said, it got me no where and since then I have heard and read some bad things about it.

Breanna - posted on 01/03/2010

Im 39 weeks due in two days this is my first baby i for sure thought i would have gone by now i went in monday for a check up and i was 3 cm dialated 90% efface. i tried everything from spicy food to squatting exercising im all out ideas as well.

Christine - posted on 01/03/2010

Quoting alexis:

Quoting Megan:

When is it considered safe to start trying to induce yourself? 38 weeks...no clue if I'm dialated until wed.

at 37 weeks you are considered term.so your baby would be fine if it was born..obviously u'd ask ur ob before u try anything but if u get the okay i hear its better than being induced with pitocin..

Actually, 37-39 weeks is considered "Late Pre-term Labor." You're not considered at term until the 40 week mark. While you can begin trying to induce labor, those last couple weeks are really good for the baby as he/she is gaining the layers of fat needed to keep them healthy before your milk comes in (if you're planning on breastfeeding). Also - babies born at the 37/38 week mark can have trouble regulating their body temperature and can have weak sucking reflexes (making breastfeeding more difficult), so you really want to try and be patient for that 40 week mark. When people ask him about inducing early labor my doctor always says "Go home and read a magazine because after the baby is born you won't have time for that for a really long time."

Also - with things like castor oil and sex as natural ways to induce - a lot of times you just end up with diarrhea and a sore vagina. Then if you DO go into labor it's that much more uncomfortable :)

Heather - posted on 01/03/2010

Quoting Kevlyn:

Quoting alexis:

Quoting Heather:

i was told to take caster oil. i did it last sunday, it did throw me into contractions, but my body refused to dialate any more. one of my friends did it with her son, and she had him later that night. if u look it up online most say to take 2 to 4 oz. do not do this!! all tat will happen if it does not work is u will have severe diarreah and stomach cramps. i and my friend only took 2 T, one at a time, a few hours between each. no cramps or anything, and labor did start. my doc said i was having true labor contractions, but my body didnt want to dialate any more. i have been at 2 1/2 cm for 3 weeks now. it works about 50 % of the time, mostly for woman who are already dialated, having false contractions, and 38+ weeks. hope this helps!

thanks!so im 2cm dialated 38 weeks and baby has dropped and is head down..so i wanna try im just scared..some people told me that if i try to induce myself it will make it worse and am more likely to have to have a c-section:(.but at this point im willing to try..did ur friend have any complications?and i should only take 2 tblsp?or tsp?

I would not try the castor oil. I did with my second pregnancy and it got me no where. If you look it up on the internet you will see that they have found that it can make the baby have his first bowel movement inside of you and can inhale/swollow it. And that can cause major problems. I would not do that if i were you! Try lots of walking and sex!!!!

from what i have read, the only conection to the babys first bowl movement and caster oil is the the baby was over 40 weeks, and the mother took more than 2 oz (most sites say to take up to 4 oz) at once. that would make anyone go! plus the babys being over 40 weeks, they were ready to have a bowl movement anyway. everyone i know that did it only took 1 or 2 tbs and had no problems, including myself.

Heather - posted on 01/03/2010

Quoting alexis:

Quoting Heather:

i was told to take caster oil. i did it last sunday, it did throw me into contractions, but my body refused to dialate any more. one of my friends did it with her son, and she had him later that night. if u look it up online most say to take 2 to 4 oz. do not do this!! all tat will happen if it does not work is u will have severe diarreah and stomach cramps. i and my friend only took 2 T, one at a time, a few hours between each. no cramps or anything, and labor did start. my doc said i was having true labor contractions, but my body didnt want to dialate any more. i have been at 2 1/2 cm for 3 weeks now. it works about 50 % of the time, mostly for woman who are already dialated, having false contractions, and 38+ weeks. hope this helps!

thanks!so im 2cm dialated 38 weeks and baby has dropped and is head down..so i wanna try im just scared..some people told me that if i try to induce myself it will make it worse and am more likely to have to have a c-section:(.but at this point im willing to try..did ur friend have any complications?and i should only take 2 tblsp?or tsp?

she had no complications at all, her son is now 18 months, and he is so cute!

Alexis - posted on 01/03/2010

Quoting Megan:

When is it considered safe to start trying to induce yourself? 38 weeks...no clue if I'm dialated until wed.

at 37 weeks you are considered term.so your baby would be fine if it was born..obviously u'd ask ur ob before u try anything but if u get the okay i hear its better than being induced with pitocin..

Megan - posted on 01/02/2010

When is it considered safe to start trying to induce yourself? 38 weeks...no clue if I'm dialated until wed.

Alice - posted on 01/02/2010

hi there are a few things i have heard and a few that i have tried. In the Uk they reccomend that you have a hot spicy curry and go for a bumpy car ride.I tried both of theese to no avail.I also tried cross country mountain biking.(this is when i was over due by 7 days!)I have herd of the raspberry tea thing but i cannot remember when you are supposed to start taking it and how much. I know there only certain times you can take it. There is another thing called flexing certain points on your body act as pressure points which can trigger certain things. Its your finger in from your little one in the web there is supposed to be a pressure point for pregnancy.Again it might be wise to look this up on the net b4 try.All in all though i dont think any thing you can do will make the baby come out any quicker.Its just one of thoose things but keep me updaed if any thing owrks for you. Good luck.

Aisha - posted on 01/02/2010

its called Foot Reflexology. i'm sure an Asian Massage Parlor would do this since its very common in their culture.
http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai_art... that image is pretty much how they do it, they press in the area of the foot for certain thing to help 'get better' or make 'better'

Aisha - posted on 01/02/2010

there's a type of massage asians do on the feet which reflex to the body organs... thats what my husband does every night...it does hurt but its good if it hurts, and its to help make the womb good & have an easy labour and bring labour on...
sadly i dont know any websites, i only have books...and its all in indonesian language lol. but you could try researching it.

Alexis - posted on 01/01/2010

thanks everyone!we have been having lots of sex haha and walking.maybe i can try squats..ive tried the nipple stimmulation which worked with my daughter but thats not working.has anyone heard anything about natural rasberry leaf tea?

Christina - posted on 01/01/2010

I would not try the castor oil either. My grandmother was just telling me abou when she took it and she said she sure did have contractions, or what felt like them, but it did not get her anywhere. You will get pains because it is like a laxative. I would try walking, squats or sex. The doctors will even tell you sex is the best way and if it dont work it is still fun! :) Good luck to you

Kevlyn - posted on 01/01/2010

Quoting alexis:

Quoting Heather:

i was told to take caster oil. i did it last sunday, it did throw me into contractions, but my body refused to dialate any more. one of my friends did it with her son, and she had him later that night. if u look it up online most say to take 2 to 4 oz. do not do this!! all tat will happen if it does not work is u will have severe diarreah and stomach cramps. i and my friend only took 2 T, one at a time, a few hours between each. no cramps or anything, and labor did start. my doc said i was having true labor contractions, but my body didnt want to dialate any more. i have been at 2 1/2 cm for 3 weeks now. it works about 50 % of the time, mostly for woman who are already dialated, having false contractions, and 38+ weeks. hope this helps!

thanks!so im 2cm dialated 38 weeks and baby has dropped and is head down..so i wanna try im just scared..some people told me that if i try to induce myself it will make it worse and am more likely to have to have a c-section:(.but at this point im willing to try..did ur friend have any complications?and i should only take 2 tblsp?or tsp?

I would not try the castor oil. I did with my second pregnancy and it got me no where. If you look it up on the internet you will see that they have found that it can make the baby have his first bowel movement inside of you and can inhale/swollow it. And that can cause major problems. I would not do that if i were you! Try lots of walking and sex!!!!

Alexis - posted on 01/01/2010

Quoting Heather:

i was told to take caster oil. i did it last sunday, it did throw me into contractions, but my body refused to dialate any more. one of my friends did it with her son, and she had him later that night. if u look it up online most say to take 2 to 4 oz. do not do this!! all tat will happen if it does not work is u will have severe diarreah and stomach cramps. i and my friend only took 2 T, one at a time, a few hours between each. no cramps or anything, and labor did start. my doc said i was having true labor contractions, but my body didnt want to dialate any more. i have been at 2 1/2 cm for 3 weeks now. it works about 50 % of the time, mostly for woman who are already dialated, having false contractions, and 38+ weeks. hope this helps!

thanks!so im 2cm dialated 38 weeks and baby has dropped and is head down..so i wanna try im just scared..some people told me that if i try to induce myself it will make it worse and am more likely to have to have a c-section:(.but at this point im willing to try..did ur friend have any complications?and i should only take 2 tblsp?or tsp?

Heather - posted on 12/31/2009

i was told to take caster oil. i did it last sunday, it did throw me into contractions, but my body refused to dialate any more. one of my friends did it with her son, and she had him later that night. if u look it up online most say to take 2 to 4 oz. do not do this!! all tat will happen if it does not work is u will have severe diarreah and stomach cramps. i and my friend only took 2 T, one at a time, a few hours between each. no cramps or anything, and labor did start. my doc said i was having true labor contractions, but my body didnt want to dialate any more. i have been at 2 1/2 cm for 3 weeks now. it works about 50 % of the time, mostly for woman who are already dialated, having false contractions, and 38+ weeks. hope this helps!

Cristina - posted on 12/31/2009

I found some videos on youtube for natural ways to induce. There are pressure points/reflexology that helps. Im 37 weeks and trying to not have a csection but hoping for a VBAC. I hope the videos will help you