Natural ways to induce labour

[SiarasMummy]

Ok, so I am not overdue but I really want to get this party started!
I am almost 38 weeks, just wanting to know if anyone has tried anything to bring on labour with previous pregnancies, and if so, what worked the best?
I am realistic about my chances, I know being 2 weeks away from my due date might mean nothing will work for me but I would still like to give it a go!

The last few days I have had a big burst of energy and have been doing lots of housework and 'nesting' so would love to get this baby out whilst I still have some energy LOL

Any tips?

My OB said at my appointment 2 days ago that baby is nice and low but has not engaged yet - but I know that some babies don't engage until the last minute so I am hoping that it being low down will give me a good chance at getting things going!

[~Stoked~]

I started using EPO a few weeks ago. My midwife said she has seen amazing results from using it (internally and orally).
I tried everything else last pregnancy (sex, curry etc etc) and went 12 days overdue so can't really recommend anything else as nothing else worked for me!
Hopefully the EPO will help me along this time too!
Good luck!

[onthefly]

Sex, orgasm, nipple stimulation all increase oxytocin, so that can help. But only if your body is primed and ready anyway. You can't force it, I'm afraid. I would suggest doing things that you enjoy anyway, but don't wear yourself out, if that makes sense. Won't be long now

[meow]

We did acupressure points (get your partner to it because it hurts and you wont be able to do it yourself) and I tried to express some colostrum the night before I went I went into labour. Not sure they worked though because I was 40+6 that night and felt a bit "different" anyway.

At 38 weeks I'd be trying to distract yourself though- baby not might not be ready for a few weeks yet.

[mel_cur]

I heard that acupuncture can work.
Also induction massage.
Walking heaps (good luck with that as I can barely move at 36w)
sex

[helle]

Sit down, watch a movie and enjoy the serenity... Best served with a bag of M&Ms.

[luna moth]

All of the following failed for us:
Sex
Curry
Fresh pineapple
Acupuncture
EPO
Kerb walking
Regular walking
Acupuncture
Wearing my best undies hoping my waters would break
Ditto for brand new bed sheets
Nipple stimulation
Watching all of our scan videos back to back
Beer
Clary Sage Oil
Shiatsu
Going for a drive up to high altitude

BUT we don't have a bath, so we didn't try that. Do it when someone else is home though, so you don't get stuck.

[BellyBelly]

I think ideally any form of induction is best avoided, buuuut:

Naturally Inducing Labour - Natural Induction Methods

[SiarasMummy]

Thanks for all the replies!
I might just wait till I am a bit closer to try some of them, I think I am probably jumping the gun a bit LOL
I am just SO READY to get it over with and can't take my mind off it.

My Mum said 'Oh my god you have dropped low' today when she saw me and all day today when I stand up from sitting my belly goes hard and stays like that for a while - do you think this could be anything? I am grasping at straws here LOL

[Traveller]

That really sounds like your baby is getting ready to be born. My guess would be they will make their way out any time in the next 4 weeks Babies come when they are ready but if you are really keen to help them along then I personally found clary sage belly rubs and expressing milk helped stimulate my BH contractions. Sex is also a great way to get babies out. And it doesn't hurt to have as much sex as you feel like, even if bub decides to stay put for a while longer

[SiarasMummy]

4 WEEKS?! Now that is just downright mean and nasty LOL

As for the sex thing, due to some rather sexy and swollen varicose veins in my fanny I haven't had sex in....hhhhmmmmm....it must be about 12 weeks now?! Oh the joys of pregnancy, this is why I want it over with I just can't wait to have a normal punani again!

[~ Mylitta ~]

Fresh pineapple flesh contains a proteolytic enzyme called bromelain. It's thought that the proteolytic action of the bromelain might help to soften the connective tissue of the cervix and help bring on labour. It has to be fresh pineapple though (the bromelain is destroyed in canned pineapple), and you need to eat the flesh, not drink the juice.

I went to a party that had a fruit salad as one of the desserts when I was 37 weeks pregnant with my daughter. I joked that I should just pick out the pineapple and proceeded to do so (mostly because I just really like pineapple, lol). I went into labour early the next morning. Coincidence? Probably... but maybe not


EDIT: Just wanted to add that I went into labour with my son a day earlier that with my daughter so it was expected I'd go about the same gestation again. Also, both my babies were engaged and super at least a month before birth, so I think they were both just ready.

[njon2]

From 36 weeks I regularly:

1. Bounced on a fit ball
2. Did the yoga 'taylor' pose
3. Drank raspberry leaf tea (I DD this from 32 weeks)
4. Rocked my pelvis forwards/backwards and side to side while on the fit ball for 30+ min

But mainly I tried to remember UFO - upright, forward and open

I'm not sure if anything really helps as your body is ready when it is ready and no sooner. However, when I was in labour I did use the Taylor pose while in the bath and went from 8-12 min contractions to fully dilated and ready to push within 25 minutes!!!

[Minque]

I tried everything (except castor oil and the one thing I believe that induced my labour was induction acupuncture. I had no dilation and the doctor couldn't reach my cervix at all. After two sessions in a week I had my show and went into labour 2 days later!