Being induced Sunday, would like to help body along!!

Hey everyone.

I am being admitted in to hospital on this Sunday and am going to be induced as my 39 wk check up yesterday showed that my cervix was not 'favourable'. So in I go on Sunday to have gels inserted.

I would really like to try and help my body become ready as I would like my body to go in to labour naturally but due to BP issues and a non favourable cervix, I feel like this will not happen. BUT I still would like to help my body out a little bit.

What can I do to try and help my body out?? All that I have been doing is walking and DTD. I was going to insert EPO but never got round to it, but I might start doing it tonight - how much EPO should I insert?! What else can I do in this short amount of time?!

I am really hoping that I can do something to help my body out, but I know that 3 days may not be enough time!!

Thanks for you help!!

Im no help hun but i want to say GOOD LUCK for Sunday and i hope your Princess arrives safely :)

hehe Thanks Kim :)
I really cant wait to meet her!! But just cant put my finger on how I am REALLY feeling...

OK, cervixs can change how favourable/unfavourable they are in a very short time. so in a day or two it could be favourable or there could be no change at all. Also you will still be a few days ahead of your EDD when you go in on Sunday too. Could they wait until your actual EDD to start the induction, giving your body a bit more time to get ready? Is your BP dangerously high to warrant them going the induction path? I know it is so hard when you are in the last days of pg, and you just want to meet bubs, but you still have to weigh up all your options. There is an article on the main site about natural induction methods - have your read that yet? might give you some tips you haven't thought of.

Sherie, I really think that they think I cant wait any longer cause of my BP.

This is what my BP has done...
13w0d 120/65
19w6d 120/60
24w0d 130/70
28w3d 110/70
30w3d 120/65
32w0d 130/70
34w2d 110/70
34w6d 160/84
35w2d 160/100
35w6d 150/78
37w0d 150/94
37w2d 140/80
38w0d 150/80
39w0d 140/100

So going with the last 6 or so weeks, BP has been too high and being admitted twice already they see that it stays up relatively high even with bed rest.

I know that my actually EDD is only a few after my scheduled induction, but I just dont think they will let me go any more. If my cervix was ready yesterday, I would say they would have done it yesterday!

I do hope that things change from now until Sunday and bub comes out on her own!

Hi Ngala,

I just went through similar scenarios with two recent clients so the info is fresh in my mind. These are natural things that I don't think would do any harm and could well help. But as with any info you get over the internet, always screen it through your own knowledge and instinctive wisdom (because you know yourself and your body better than anyone) and run it by your care provider.

Here's what we did for high BP:
* magnesium, calcium & potassium can all help lower BP
* bananas (potassium)
* a salad of grated raw beetroot and grated apple (it's really yum) - calcium
* bath in Epsom salts (magnesium)
* full body immersion in warm (not hot) water - effective in lowering BP
* reduce stress and do lots of relaxation
* drink LOTS of water, increase protein and avoid sugar
* sex (semen!) can help avoid Pre Eclampsia (OK guys don't cheer too loudly now)
* Evening Primrose Oil
* Passionflower Tea
* Yellow cucumber
* 2 t cream of tartar with the juice of half a lemon once a day for three days
* Fish Oil
* Hawthorn Berry (tea or capsules)
* Garlic and parsley
* gentle exercise

And here is what we did for a gentle way to induce labour. Basically if your body is not ready, it is unlikely to work, but since you are facing medical induction then it's worth a try.

Perhaps if you are successful in lowering your BP you might be able to delay the induction? My client's BP did get a bit scary there for while but next day it went right down again. Relaxation was probably the major factor. I can understand that they will be wanting to keep a close eye on your BP. Do you have any other symptoms of concern like protein in the urine? Sometimes high BP a week or two prior to labour starting can be a natural compensatory mechanism - as long as it exists on its own with no other symptoms of Pre Eclampsia (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension)

* Evening Primrose Oil, 1 tab 3x day and one or two inserted at bedtime
* Strong brew of Raspberry Leaf Tea. You can also add Basil, Nutmeg and Lavendar
* Relaxation
* Sex - kissing, cuddling and caressing the breasts and orgasm promotes oxytocin release, and semen contains prostaglandins
* Pelvic rocks and tilts: standing, on hands & knees and with one foot slightly elevated on a step - helps baby's head be applied well to the cervix, and will only help when you're ripe and ready - but even if you aren't it's great pregnancy exercise
* See a Naturopath about Blue Cohosh
* Homeopathic Caulophyllum
* Acupuncture
* Acupressure
* I would not recommend Castor Oil
* Raw pineapple triggers prostaglandin production but eating half a dozen pineapples is Too Hard in my opinion!
* A tea of cummin seeds
* Thigh massage
* Nipple stimulation to encourage oxytocin, try stroking & massaging breasts in a nice deep bath and rolling the nipples. Even a breast pump can help. Do this gently in a nice relaxed way.
* Borage and Flax Seed Oil , Black Currant Oil, 3-6 capsules, taken orally, everyday and/or rubbed directly on the cervix if bag of waters is intact, after 37 weeks.

Send you lots of happy thoughts for lower BP and hopefully you can avoid the induction and all will unfold in a safe and timely way.

Hi Julie

Thank you so much for your reply!! I wish I knew of these ways to lower BP when it started to become a problem.

How effective would a warm bath of epson salts be in lowering BP - is it something that would lower straight away or something that works over time? I would like to try this before my next BP check that is on Saturday.

How effective would EPO be this late in the pregnancy? I was planning to start inserting EPO at 37/38 weeks but then decided to let my body do its own thing as I was doing the RLT but had an illergic reaction to it so decided to let my body be.

I am going to insert EPO tonight. Are you able to insert EPO during the day as well or is it best not to over do it?

What would you say best way of relaxation would be? Maybe a bath and burning some candles? Would you be able to recommend any incense to purchase? I have read that Jasmine, lavendar and Clary Sage can be used during labour. Is there anything that you know of?

I gave nipple stimulation a go the other night but I have very little feeling in my nipples. Can nipple stimulation still work?

I've had regular tests to see if I have PE and I dont, just an elevated BP! All checks on the baby show the she is healthy too. Do you think that maybe induction should be avoided or atleast delayed?

Hi Ngala
You will find that epsom salt baths can reduce you BP quite quickly.
EPO is best used at night because when you are laying down the EPO stays on your cervix where it is needed.
The best way to relax is what works for you. but a bath with incense sounds ideal. Lavender incense is fantastic for relaxation.
As I mentioned before I am not sure if nipple stimulation will work if you have little or no feeling there. But it will not harm you so I would suggest give it a go, it may just help.
Your last BP was a little too high but before you decide on an induction check your BP again if it comes down a little then it may be a good idea to avoid the induction.