How i can induce my labour?

Valerie - posted on 06/05/2011

so many times their dates are wrong that i question whether you were truly 3 wks overdue...walking, exercise, and there are teas that might be helpful...why the c section? my belief is it is not a good thing to mess with mother nature and that leads to more c sections than anything else...spicey food, castor oil and acupuncture have all been used... google labor prep tea as well

Erica - posted on 03/11/2009

 asked my ob the same question in aug of 07 i only dialted .01 cm the whole month and i was due in sept she told me sex is the best i guess or walking alot helps starts ur labor i hope everything wrks out for u and good luck!!!!!

Erica - posted on 03/11/2009

 asked my ob the same question in aug of 07 i only dialted .01 cm the whole month and i was due in sept she told me sex is the best i guess or walking alot helps starts ur labor i hope everything wrks out for u and good luck!!!!!

Erica - posted on 03/11/2009

 asked my ob the same question in aug of 07 i only dialted .01 cm the whole month and i was due in sept she told me sex is the best i guess or walking alot helps starts ur labor i hope everything wrks out for u and good luck!!!!!

Veronica - posted on 03/11/2009

you can pump your breast it causes your uterus to contract!

Becky - posted on 03/11/2009

primrose oil, raspberry leaf tea, walk, nipple stimulation (by your husband or with a breast pump) sex and orgasm. I put them in order of least effective to most effective from my experience. I didn't try castor oil because I was afraid I would have diarrhea while n labor.

Andrea - posted on 03/11/2009

Talk to your doctor about it and see if they will scheduale a induction if your a week late. I live in Calgary and they wil only let you go a week or two over you due date. (A week for me)

Tori - posted on 03/11/2009

You ladies are in luck. I just happen to be a midwife student. Evening primrose oil can be purchased at any drugstore that carries vitamins. Take 2 or 3 of the capsules poke several holes in them and insert as far into your vagina as you can. Its best to do this before bed time. It does get a little messy, so you may want to wear a pad. Dont worry this is a safe way to get your cervix ready to go.

Marilyn - posted on 03/11/2009

I too, am trying to get myself into labour. I am still early, but the doctors admit my dates are wrong, they are just not sure of how wrong. From 2-4 weeks farther than what we are currently going by.



I do know my last pregnancy sex did start labour...



This time around though, both hubby and I are exhausted (he is working double shifts to take time off), and I am just plain tired, so that isn't happening much. LOL.



I have heard good things about red leaf raspberry tea. I am not a tea drinker, though I am trying it. We found it in the organic food section of my grocery store. Anyways, my midwives say it helps, though again, the baby has to be pretty ready for it to work. Also the box says to drink it 3-4 times a day, but my midwives laughed at that. Instead, I made a jug of it (and iced it), and keep it in the fridge. They say that the first 2-4 days drink a glass of it (or a mug if you like it hot...but only about a cup of it). And then increase to two a day, then three, etc. Up to 4, but no more.



I find it tastes nasty, but again, I am not a tea drinker, so I mix it with cranberry juice - or something.

I also find that after drinking it, I will have a couple of really strong Braxton Hicks contractions, but they fade away again. Though I am still on only 1 cup aday. Apparently it works by stimulating the uterus to contract, and when done properly it takes about 7-10 days to 'work'. So it's a slow process, but it doesn't make you sick, give you the poops, dehydrate or anything like that. The worst part is the taste in my opinion.

JO - posted on 03/11/2009

sitting on the washing machine, pineapple, berry tea,hot curry,but personally i dont think anything really works, i tried absolutly everything, and i still had to be induced after 10 days, although Millie was more active when i had a hot bath, so maybe give that one a go

Janell - posted on 03/11/2009

I HAVE 2 LITTLE GIRLS AND I WAS INDUCED WITH BOTH OF THEM, MY DOC SAID I WAS A GOOD CANDIDATE,HEALTHY,....WITH MY FIRST DAUGHTER I WAS INDUCED AT 38 WEEKS.......AND WITH MY SECOND IT WAS EXACTLY AT 40 WEEKS, THERES NO HARM IN ASKING!!!

GREAT WAYS TO INDUCE LABOR IS GOING FOR LOOOOOOOOOONG WALKS, AND HAVING LOTS AND LOTS OF SEXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX!!!!! ITS A MEDICAL FACT.  AND CASTOR OIL, BUT YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST, TO SEE HOW MUCH IS SAFE!!! YOU DONT WANT TO MUCH OF THAT! HOPE THIS HELPS!

Tabatha - posted on 03/11/2009

sex sex sex works wonders :P lol. i aske my doc and health nurse about caster oil because i was so done with being pregnant. i was told NOT to take caster oil because it takes away electralights and stuff that you and baby both need! walk lots and have lots of sex. these something in the semen that softens the cervix!! best of luck :D

Danielle - posted on 03/11/2009

Sex is the key! My OB told me to bounce on a excersise ball to bring him into my pelvis more so he would put pressure on my cervix and that should start things moving. Within a week of bouncing I dialated almost 3 centimeters!! Gravity works with you in this case, I also did alot of mall walking. Good luck!

Elizabeth - posted on 03/11/2009

Quoting Rebekah:

Sex, Sex Sex! LOL I know it sounds crazy, but it does work.  OR do lots of stair climbing, walking, etc.  The more active you are, the more possible of your chance to start early.

I've been told the same.  However, with my experience both my daughters came 2 days before their due dates.  I don't know if I can attribute that to sex or not?  About them forcing a c-section on you just because your over due seems wrong!  I think too many doctors are pushing c-secs when they are not neccessary....I'd fight them on that one!

Jennifer - posted on 03/11/2009

Don't use castor oil unless you want to be sick! Sex is a good way to help ripen your cervix because of the prostaglandins (sp?) in semen. You could also try drinking raspberry leaf tea. If you google it, you will find ways to prepare it and lots of stories about it helping things along. Like sex though,it just ripens the cervix- it does nothing to bring on contractions. In all honesty though, after having lots of sex, walking a ton, drinking tea for weeks, eating spicy food...I still had to be induced. I was 3cm dilated and almost completely effaced without so much as a twinge of braxton-hicks though so something worked, but your body will only really go into labor when it's good and ready. Just be careful because with a previous c-section, you don't want to rupture your uterus. Good luck having your natural birth- it is an experience every woman should be able to have!

Charmayne - posted on 03/10/2009

every pregnancy is different. i know a lot of people who said they walked, had sex, a lot of exercise, and they went in early. myself on the other hand, i was in labor for 3 days and i was over due by two weeks. i did everything i could. my doctors had to induce me and i had an emergency c-section. chances are greater if you had a previous c-section before, you might have another one. but do not be discouraged, there is still a chance you can have a natural birth. hope all is well

Ashlee - posted on 03/10/2009

Castrol Oil... My mom had my brother two hours after drinking it... Two weeks before her due date.. Beware though the taste is awful, so if you have a weak stomach, I wouldn't recommend it. 

Tiffani - posted on 03/10/2009

I was supposed to be induced with my youngest child (my son) on April 28, 2008 and my 4 year old daughter was in preschool and had a field trip to go to the zoo on the 25th. I was so miserable. I went to be with her along with my fiance and my then 2 year old daughter. We walked, and walked, and walked until I thought I would drop dead. lol. My feet were swollen like crazyy it was like 90 degrees outside and i just wanted to go home and sleep! Well the next day I was doing dishes and my water broke!!!!! I had put myself in labor with all the walking at the zoo! I recommend that to anyone who is trying to induce labor. WALK WALK WALK. I had all vaginal births so I dont know about C-Sections. But maybe this will help you.

Good Luck!

Emily - posted on 03/10/2009

When the time was right, I asked my OBGYN for a "stretch and sweep".  Basically, the doc uses his/her fingers to separate the membranes surrounding the baby from your cervix.  I had this done with my second because I was so uncomfortable and due within a week and a half and I just couldn't take it anymore.  Be warned though, the actual procedure is quick but very uncomfortable.  I had it done at around 7pm at night and by 6am the next morning I was in labour.

I wouldn't do castor oil.. it's not a safe option plus you'll be in for a very messy and embarrasing delivery.

I've also heard that raspberry tea that has been steeping for several hours and cold works wonders (I couldn't bring myself to try that one though)

As far as I know, most doctors won't intervene with a medical induction unless there is a risk to mother or baby or you are way overdue.  I was induced with oxytocin with my first baby because my water broke but I had no contractions... they'll wait for 48 hours after the water breaks then they will induce because of the risk of infection to the baby.  It's a long and hard road to take (I was in labour for over 48 hours) and the contractions were so intense and I dilated very slow (induction + epidural = slow dilation).

I would wait at least another week and a half before considering any type of induction whether medical or natural.  A lot of growing happens in the last few weeks of pregnancy and it's important that you see your pregnancy as close to the end as possible.

Good luck

Sarah - posted on 03/10/2009

hiya i am the same as yourself i am due in 3 weeks and i went 10 days over with my first but i have been told my second should be a normal birth , i have been told to keep active and it should come on its self . good luck and hope it goes ok for you x

Cindy - posted on 03/10/2009

I am with Sarah on this one. I am also a Labor and Birthing nurse and have seen some wonderful VBACs and some horrible ones. PLEASE talk to your doctor about your options. Don't get me wrong, I know some people think the medical community is out to just make labor medicalized and forget that it's natural, but I was a doula, taught HypnoBirthing, etc and I still think that previous c-birth scars are not to be messed with. If you had a previous vaginal birth I would be all for natural methods of getting labor going. Unfortunately there are a lot of things that you don't know about your scar. How well the next labor goes has a lot to do with the direction of the scar on the uterus (the scar on the skin can be going a different direction than the one on the skin), how well it was sewn up, size of this baby, etc. When we induce labor in a mom who has had a previous c-birth we know all of this information and induce extremely gently and monitor baby's heartbeat and your contractions and vital signs very closely. Please, please talk to your doctor first. He/she should be able and willing to discuss a plan for your birth as well as be able to tell you why certain options would or would not be in your best interest.

Trish - posted on 03/10/2009

be active, don't just sit down all day, you're more likely to have it earlier if you do stuff, I was 2 weeks early with my first child and 5 days before she was born I moved house so had to do stuff plus the morning before she was born I was stripping wallpaper. and with my son I was 5 days early and the day before he was born I was outside cutting the grass. so basically I'd just say be active.

Angiee - posted on 03/09/2009

i agree SEX... i myself have no problems goin into labor. i had my second august 2007. and let me tell ya i was so sick of being preganat i told my husband either you have sex with me or im goin to beat ya lol.. and in fear for his life he did. lol. the next day i went to the doctors I(i was due in weeks) and bam... i was 2 cenemeters and almost fully afaced. lol yea sex i totally recomend it

Joanne - posted on 03/09/2009

I would have to agree with Rebekah...lots of sex. The sperm helps bring on labor and even better if u orgasm it can start contractions. I went into labour almost immediately after doing this and i was only overdue by 1 day:)

Amanda - posted on 03/09/2009

Only 3 things have been proven to work, according to my OBGYN: 1- extreme nipple stimulation (use a pump for several hours/day); 2- sex (the sperm helps get your cervix ready for labor); 3- breaking the membranes (not actually breaking your water, though)- that's something your doctor can do. But if you are positive for Step B, as I was, the 3rd is too unsafe.

Jaime - posted on 03/09/2009

theres lots you can do you can get info on the net i had my wee man 10 days early i ate a whole fresh pineapple the day before its meant to help bring on labour i dont know if it was that or that Logan just got to big and had no more room inside me as we was 8 pound 12 and im only small

Vanessa - posted on 03/09/2009

hi there.. firt of all congrat's on your pregnancy.. i love hearing about babies... and that i wouldn't worry too much as the 2nd child usually comes around the time your due.. but anyways, i was told to have caster oil, so i did and the next day i wa in labour.. and of coarse lot's of sex.. but i know not many ppl can as it's so uncomfortable..  i also had a friend who in her last weeks go and get a massage, she went twice before she went in labour and she was a day early.. the more your relaxed the better...  but i guess your baby will enter the world when he/she is ready.. best of luckxx

Vanessa - posted on 03/09/2009

hi there.. firt of all congrat's on your pregnancy.. i love hearing about babies... and that i wouldn't worry too much as the 2nd child usually comes around the time your due.. but anyways, i was told to have caster oil, so i did and the next day i wa in labour.. and of coarse lot's of sex.. but i know not many ppl can as it's so uncomfortable..  i also had a friend who in her last weeks go and get a massage, she went twice before she went in labour and she was a day early.. the more your relaxed the better...  but i guess your baby will enter the world when he/she is ready.. best of luckxx

User - posted on 03/09/2009

Please, please, please do not go bowling, climb stairs "upteen times", have "rough sex" or take hot curray baths.  I would not recommend these to any women in their last trimester, especially in the last weeks.  It's a real good way to seperate the placenta, and in your case having had a previous C-SECTION can cause your uterus to rupture.  If I have to spell it out these are EMERGENCY problems and can be fatal to you or your baby.  Like I said before if you had had a VAGINAL delivery, walking, sex, having your membranes stripped may be appropraite to jump start labor, but again with a previous scar there are increased risks. Please consult your physican. 

Sarah - posted on 03/09/2009

I ate a whole bunch of jalapenos for the last month of my pregnancy and then the night before my due date. I gave birth to my son that afternoon on my due date. It turns out I was in labor during the night and didn't even know it. By the time I was checked by my doctor the next day, I was already at 5.

Tracy - posted on 03/09/2009

Try being intimate - I know between being tired and feeling less attractive, the thought is more than unappealing. I was a couple days overdue when I finally gave in and took my doctors advice - have sex. Within hours of being intimate I began labour and/or being active ( without overdoing it ) Try talking to your doctor as well, see about having your labour induced.

Aislynn - posted on 03/09/2009

Yeah, sex is probably the best way. DON'T do castor oil, it probably won't make you go into labor, but WILL make you miserable. Get your Dr to strip your membranes...my water broke an hour after she did mine!

Lisa - posted on 03/09/2009

hi people say ur baby will come when its ready. i was a week late with my 1st but babysittin a troubleson 3yr old bought it on by carryin him upstairs umpteen times. your second should be easier as yor cervix never completely closes after a 1st labour. i only needed a sweep with my second. bowling bought my mates labour onaswell. if these dont work then rough sex, very hot currys hot bath and a very long walk. good luck

Leah - posted on 03/09/2009

my doctor scheduled my induction for when I was only a week overdue, because I was measuring small (34 weeks at 40!) and also was starting to dilate but I wasn't going into labor and coming from someone who tried EVERYTHING - let me just tell you to go ahead and try it all, but don't get too frustrated if it doesn't work. I tried eating Chinese food (my friend's mother who has 10 kids swears by it), I tried sex, I tried walking on the treadmill, jogging outside, climbing stairs, sex again, swimming, and even when I was in the hospital and they had started the pitocin drip - I still tried walking and bouncing on the ball to hurry the process up because my body STILL wasn't kicking into labor - absolutely nothing worked for me. It got to the point where I was more frustrated at the people trying to give suggestions, because they kept mentioning things like their solution was absolutely going to work and if it didn't - well then I must've been doing it wrong. But just remember that everyone is different and anyone who does benefit from these extra steps probably was closer to the verge of being in labor to begin with. Oh and DON'T do castor oil - a friend of mine tried it as well and said it was a horrible and disgusting experience that she would never want to repeat again.

Be careful with doing too much though - csections are a completely different experience, and you don't want to underestimate how much energy you really are going to need for natural delivery. I had a natural delivery - no drugs - and it wears you out! I'll be surprised if they let you have a natural birth (sorry, but as the L&D nurse said above - it is rare for a natural birth after cesarean), but if they do - you don't want your muscles to be sore because you went weight-lifting the night before!

Amber - posted on 03/09/2009

See I went five days over due and tried everything but castor oil. I was about to result to that but they were going to induce me the 3rd of Feb and magically he decided to come n the 2nd. I had to have a c section which sucks and they told me i couldn't have natural births.

Leah - posted on 03/09/2009

Sex worked for me in my first pregnancy. I broke my water three hours later. The oil that people sugessted makes you go poo and poo some more. I heard riding on bumpy roads works. I went into labor 3 times during my second pregnancy because of the many many stairs I had to walk up and down just to get to my apartment. I was carrying a baby, a diaper bag, and a stroller too.

Lori - posted on 03/09/2009

Walking and working out use little weights too.  I got so frustrated at the end of summer.  Mon and Tues I worked out as hard as possible and used weights.  Wed morning went for a walk and when I got home I had to call the doc cuz i was in labor 6 days early

Amie - posted on 03/09/2009

Lots of walking and stairs always helped me. Sex we tried but it was just too uncomfortable for me by that time. Castor Oil my mom and aunt tried and advised me against it. LOL! They said it was terrible stuff and while it did induce them they would have rather waited. I've never had a C-section though, hope all goes well and you get to see baby soon! I'm due on the 26th with our 4th. =)

User - posted on 03/09/2009

I am a labor and delivery nurse and so have some knowledge on the subject.  First of all if you have had a c-section before than you definetly need to speak with your physician about having a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).  Many physicians will automatically perforn a c-section due to the fact that you already have a scar and a VBAC increases the risk for uterine rupture.  Second. DO NOT TAKE CASTOR OIL!!!!!  Especially if you have had a c-section.  This is a horrible way to start labor, for you and your impending nurse.  The reason it starts labor is because it gives you horrible diarrhea and causes cramping.   You will not be able to control your bowels and will be absoluetly miserable. Obviously when you have diarrhea you lose fluids and electrolytes that you and your baby need.  Your best bet is to allow your body time, if your going to go into labor you will, if you don't then you don't.  If you had previously had a vaginal delivery then I may tell you something different but having had a c-section there is an increased risk.  The most important thing is that you and your baby are safe.

Kasandra - posted on 03/09/2009

yup semen will soften the cirvex and help it to start to dialite... nipple stimulation will work... BUT IT TAKES FOREVER... you have to be messin with those things for a good 30 minutes most times to get any effect, and then if you stop, the contractions will usually stop too... activity will help, but the only surefire way to get it done is to have your dr do it. ive never had a c section, but all of my labors were induced at 40 weeks. the first one took 2 days to get going, but once it started it was about 6 hrs and he was born... all the ones after were under 8 hrs from begining to end...

Lisa - posted on 03/09/2009

Quoting Jeannie:

How i can induce my labour?

i have my second baby due in 3 weeks and as i went 16 days overdue with my last baby im scared that i will again. The problem with this is that i had to have an emergency csection with my last one and really want this one naturally, but if i go overdue they said they will give me another csection.

You can do breast stimulation , this can produce some strong contractions, and have intercorse ,the semen helps . Hope it will work for you! Have a good week!

Meredith - posted on 03/09/2009

When I was pregnant with my first child, I tried having sex to induce labor, and it worked! My due date was the 21st of June and I had him on the 16th of June. My second  child was more stubborn he didn't come until the day before my due date and my belly was measuring 2 weeks overdue with him. Just keep in mind that every pregnancy is different. Wish you the best!

Melissa - posted on 03/09/2009

sex

Kimberly - posted on 03/09/2009

Yea my dr told me to go home and have lots of sex..lol.  Something about it softens the cervix......and I climbed my stairs as much as I could stand each day.  good luck!

Shana - posted on 03/09/2009

Talk to your dr. about inducing.  It is a long process if the time is not right.  I was induced and it took 15 hours until active labor started and then another four until my daughter was born.  

Morgan - posted on 03/09/2009

my sister drank castor oil and a couple hours later went into labor!

Lizzie - posted on 03/09/2009

Have you spoken to a consultant to see if they will induce you at around 40 weeks so you try for a natural delivery? I live in the Uk I have had three emergancy c sections.  My second son was suppose to be induced so they could monitor for any problems but my previous scar started to rupture when I went into spontaneous labour and he was born by crash emergancy c section.  Cant you refuse a c section if there is no physical need for one? I wouldnt try to induce labour yourself as its safer for your baby to be born when its ready.  Most of the old wives tales eg: curry, sex. castor oil only work if you are already to go into labour.  The most they would probably do is give you diahorrea and make you dehydrated which is really bad for for when you are in labour.  Try talking to your Doctor about your choices and express your concerns , good luck xxx

Samantha - posted on 03/09/2009

my mother gave my sister some castor oil she said it induced her with her first child, not really for sure if that was what made her go into labor

Rebekah - posted on 03/09/2009

Sex, Sex Sex! LOL I know it sounds crazy, but it does work.  OR do lots of stair climbing, walking, etc.  The more active you are, the more possible of your chance to start early.