Alright, so I'm 39 weeks and go in for an appt tomorrow morning. If i don't go into labor anytime this week or next week, i will have to be induced on the 12th and i REALLY don't want that. So what are the ways to try and start labor besides sex and spicy foods? Sex just seems to hurt anymore and spicy foods just give me the worst reflux in the history of mankind. Need ideas people! Please :)
Posted Apr 28, 2014, 2:42 AM UTC
Nipple stimulation, releases oxytocin which can bring on contractions.
You and I are in same boat, except I'm 38 weeks. I have also been walking more and I plan on getting my membrane sweep next week. Other then that I have heard acupuncture helps and my Chiro said there are some pressure points they can work on. Good luck hope neither of us get imduced.
My mom went to the mall when I was 11 days past my due date and just walked and walked. She ended up going into labor as a result. Plus side, then you could stop at the cinnabon for a break ;) if my baby ends up past her due date, im going to go to the same mall and do the walking thing too ;)
Evening primrose oil Castor oil Pineapple Squats for days Stairs/stair master BLUE cohosh
Check with health care provider before trying some of these.
Edit: wrong cohosh...oops. Brain fart moment.
Here are the ones I know about...not sure how many work or not, as labor is typically triggered by baby's lung development:
Sex (semen has a component that can sometimes trigger contractions)
Castor Oil: cleans out your digestive system...theory is that the poo-spolosion that happens after will trigger contractions. Not pleasant.
Pineapple: eat a whole one if you can. Who knows if it works.
Membrane sweep: if you're dilated at all, Dr can push the membranes away from your uterus, which can trigger contractions. Sometimes can be bloody, hit or miss if it works or not. Can also be really uncomfortable.
Walking/bouncing on yoga ball/yoga/stairs/elliptical/riding lawn mower (my sister tried this), etc: gravity gravity gravity! Getting baby into position in the pelvis can speed along dilation and effacement. At the very least, it should make for a shorter labor.
Spicy foods: similar reasoning as castor oil I think.
Evening Primrose: supposedly makes your cervix softer.
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea: supposedly makes your uterus muscles more toned, so labor is more productive.
Walk. Walk, walk, walk. That and a membrane strip I think paired up to get me into labor with my son. Walking with one foot on the curb/one in the street is supposed to help settle the baby down into your pelvis.
It may also be a good idea (though this is kind of weird crunchy hippie stuff) to sit somewhere quiet and think through all the things that have you nervous about labor and birth. Consider them, realize they're probably silly worries, and try to let them go. I do believe that being overly worried/tense can slow things down, and if you're facing down an induction that can make things bad.
Also, I know that inductions are no fun, and know that you probably can turn it down. But inductions in week 41 do show a lower risk of c-section vs. inductions at 42 weeks. So consider that even if you do have to have an induction, it doesn't necessarily mean the end of what you want out of your birth, even if you're planning to go med-free. Honestly, I liked Pitocin contractions because I always knew exactly when the next one was coming and how intense it would be; on my own my contraction pattern is pretty erratic. So it's not something I'd sign up for if I could, but it's not terrible either.
Umm, none of the tips for naturally starting labor are supposed to be comfortable. So, sex and spicy foods are probably your best bet lol. You can try walking, or having your membranes stripped, too. I would really recommend staying away from things like castor oil. I hope you get your labor started soon!