Suggestions for softening cervix....

Hi All :help:

I was due to be induced this Saturday 3rd June, 3 days before my due date of the 6th June - this is because DH is going overseas on 11th June and we wanted to guarantee he was here for the birth. Anyway went to ob today and he said baby is engaged but after doing an internal said my cervix was hard and he would not be able to induce me.

We are now having to play the waiting game (which is what I would prefer in an ideal world anyway!) until at least mid next week when ob will reassess. Any suggestions on how to soften the cervix besides raspberry leaf tea???? I really want DH to be here for the birth and am willing to try anything.

Thanks in advance!

Evening Primrose Oil capsules. you can either take them orally or insert them as close as possible to your cervix. I used these (both ends) at the end of my pg with Tehya and my cervix was so ripe and stretchy.

Goodluck hun.

Sorry, but i don't understand why they can't induce if your cervix is hard? I was induced via gels with my DD and my cervix was hard and closed.

I have heard of using Evening Primrose Oil too. Ihope it works for you. Good luck.

hi i have been induced twice and im due to be induced tomorrow as well and both of mine i had gels the night before at 8pm and then again at 6am waters broken and thats when my labour really started gels just ripened my cervix and opened it a little for them to break my waters what about also having the drip that can help too i guess your ob has thought about it but i know you would be upset due to your hubby being away but if you cat be induced next week would you consider having a c/section? is this your first pregnancy my ob said if not your first bubs they sometimes dont engage till in labour i hope all goes well for you

Tegan I am with you in that I don't understand why I cannot be induced either as I had also heard that that is what the gel is there for.

My Ob has said that the way he induces is by first breaking the waters and also having the drip attached, he rarely uses the gel. Maybe that is why he isn't? I might ring him and ask but I don't want to seem pushy....

As for c/s I would prefer not to do that but if necessary so be it. Ob has said we will wait till my due date and then reassess. DH has also said he would prefer for me not to have a c/s if possible too.

Might have to go out and buy some evening primrose oil tablets!

Hi Gabysmum!

Congrats on meeting your precious bundle soon :D

Here are some ideas for natural induction I found on the Birthrites website:

Evening Primrose Oil capsules; 2-3 capsules high in the vagina, repeat 2-3x 24hr intervals. Evening Primrose Oil acts as a prostaglandin, which ripens or softens the cervix. It's also useful for softening scar tissue from abortions or IUD damage. This will soften/ripen the cervical tissues and increase the flexibility of the pelvic ligaments. This will help the baby to deeply engage in the pelvis. This early application of the baby's head will assist with dilation and should result in a relatively easy birth, even after multiple C-sections for "stalled" labor.

You can take evening primrose oil, orally, in the last four weeks of your pregnancy. You should take three evening primrose oil capsules daily for the first week (36th week of gestation) and then one to two capsules a day for the last three weeks of pregnancy.

Blue cohosh
(may cause irritability in uterus, non-labour contractions; better to use to enhance labour rather than induce. Try making your own tincture. Less "violent" than castor oil.)
Blue and Black Cohosh Tinctures, 5-10 drops each, in cup of water or tea, 1-2 times everyday, after 37 weeks.

Castor oil (same as above, also ends constipation/induces runs, but can be very effective with stripping) Serve in orange juice, root beer float or other drink; 1-4 Tbsp in drink (in 2 doses). The problem I've heard of with castor oil (besides making you miserable and not always working) is that it can cause the baby to pass meconium in the uterus because the castor oil causes a relaxation of sphincters.

Ginger beer Put 2 oz. Castor oil in 4oz. Of ginger beer, place your hand over top of the glass tightly, shake it up, and immediately chug it down (remember doing "slammers" in our young and foolish days in college???). If no labour within 4 hours, may repeat x1. The Gingerbeer "fizz" suspends the oil, so when you chug it down you don't notice the "gloppy" taste of the oil.

Sex, nipple stimulation - with breast pump or manually
Don't get up straight after sex, lie there and relax, maybe raise hips to help bathe the cervix in semen.

Tincture of Motherwort - 5 to 10 drops

Enemas
Gentler than Castor Oil, but should have the same effect of stimulating the intestines, and therby the uterus. Also good for rehydration and considered less invasive than an IV drip, but as effective.

Membrane stripping
The attendant separates the bag of waters from the cervix by running her finger around the internal space between the cervix and the membranes. You do a "good one" if you're going to do one at all. Must be good indications and mom must have been given informed consent. Never do it preterm, with a feverish mom, or if any suspicion of low lying placenta or previa....

Cervical massage
2 o'clock spot on cervix, rub for as long as 30 min. slowly and gently

Caulophyllum 200
1 tab 1/4 hourly for 1 hour then 1 tab hourly for another 4 hours.

Acupressure Points
Pressure on the space between the thumb and forefinger, 4 finger widths above the inner ankle bone.

Sorry for the mammoth post but hopefully something will help!!!

Love
Goldilocks
-xxxooo-

Gabysmum, Don't use the castor oil. As goldilocks has stated it can cause the baby to pass meconium in the placenta. My OB even told me that this is very dangerous and can lead to a still birth. No not always but it can and most midwives will tell you not to use it. I just don't think it's worth it.
I think what you have to remember is that you are paying him. So therefore he should be listening to you and your needs. It's not like you're not due. I think he will walk all over you if you don't stand up and say exactly what you want.
I have the gels to ripen my cervix, I think it is a gentle induction tool, and gives you time to ease into labour. I don't like my waters (Too hard and fast after they are broken) being broken but really have no choice as they need to make sure the cord is out of the way and guide bubs head down, since my babies never engage. I would definitely call his office and speak to him again and basically demand what you want. Surely he understands that you need to get bub out before DH goes overseas.

Thanks girls for all of your advice, I will definitely start doing some of those and just avoiding the castor oil.

Ended up calling the ob and as it turns out I got some things all confused in my highly emotional state. He said that yes my cervix was still hard but in fact the baby HAS NOT engaged whereas I thought he had said baby was. Hence the reason why he said he would prefer not to use the gel as if the baby has not engaged then he said it could lead to an emergency c/s which is something I would prefer not to happen. At least I now understand why he wouldn't use the gel. Felt like such a dill but he was very understanding as I was quite "abrupt" on the phone to him.

Now I suppose it is just a matter of waiting!!:pray:

The whole castor oil thing hasn't been proven; there are two theories, one saying it can also stimulate the bowels of the baby which in turn makes it pass meconium and some say the castor oil can't even circulate to the baby anyway. So there's no need to frighten everyone, there's just not enough study on it and no-one knows. BUT the main reason they say to avoid it is that it often gives you diahorea and if you do go into labour, it's just not something you want to deal with!

Wise words from Kelly. Castor oil has been used for a long time by midwives in an effort to 'bring labour on'. I have used it and personally would rather walk down Bourke street Mall naked than go there again. It was HORRIBLE!!! And it didn't help any! However, I have seen it work and I know women who swear by it.
However I personally wouldn't recommend it as as Kelly said it can (and often does) make you feel damn ill!!! It stimulates the bowels with great irritation. It is thought that the bowel and the uterus work closely so if the bowel is contracting with the peristaltic action to release it's contents that the uterus will be stimulated to do the same.
It sounds like your little one isn't ready yet. That is a hard one given that his/her Daddy is going away. Try the EPO. I have used that too with great effect. Use it orally and as a pessary. Lie down after insertion with a pillow under your bottom, on your left side. This will create a pooling effect against your cervix. Nipple stimulation is said to help, though the tweaking has to be quite prolonged and frequent to be of benefit.

Talk to your baby, trust that it is all going to work out perfectly. Talk to your care provider again. If it looks like your baby isn't going to come in time for your DH to be at the birth talk again to your ob. Babies are and can be induced without engaging. There are options.

I can imagine that this must be really stressful. I hope things get moving soon. DTD again with a pillow under your bottom and on the side afterward to pool the seminal fluid against your cervix. (seminal fluid is rich in prostaglandins, which is what you aids labour) Eat some curries (curry will stimulate bowel activity that will also encourage uterine activity - just a more gentle and pleasant way of helping things along than castor oil!). Physical activity helps, being in an upright position encourages the baby to move down. All fours on the ground with your bum up in the air encourages the baby to move down also. Don't sit back in chairs, lean forward, little kids chairs are good to sit on in late pregnancy for that reason.

I really hope that this baby jiggles down and comes out to meet you really soon.

Big hugs and lots and lots of laboour vibes to you!

anyone else got any suggestions????

Is the Evening primrose oil completely safe?

I couldnt find any adverse reactions anywhere on the net.

I'm starting it today.

I had no problems with EPO whatsoever and I was using it for weeks, both ends. Just a note if you do use it internally, insert a couple of capsules as close as possible to the cervix before you go to bed and wear a pad. They will leak back out ;)

Goodluck girls, sending you heaps of labour vibes :D

Trish, when you say as close as possible to the cervix, does that mean as far up there as I can get them??

Yup, thats exactly what I mean hun. Goolduck getting around your belly :) I found one leg on the bathtub helped. Sorry if tmi ;)

Sorry Trish :), but can you tell me exactly how many you took orally and vaginally per day?

Ohh never heard of these little tips before...so from when in your pregnancy did you start using the EPO Trish? The EPO I have here seems to have a really thick brown casing on the tablets...does that all just dissolve away like if you were to swallow them?

Yes apparently they just dissolve. Mine are massive yellow things - Natures Own.

Yep! As far up as you can get them! The idea is that the epo acts as a prostaglandin (as does sperm) and will help to ripen and soften the cervix. Have you tried acupuncture? I used it to good effect with one of my post dates babies.
I hope you have some luck. To my knowledge there is no risk to using epo. Providing you use very clean hands and of course you don't use this regime if your membranes have ruptured.
Good luck! :hug:

Well, just to be safe I'm shoving them in both ends, lol.

Rayla, yes you should take them orally as well. From memory I used 3 capsules twice a day as a vaginal pessary and I took the recommended daily dose orally.
Ensure you wear a pad as the capsules will melt and run out - very oily and messy!

I hope you have some success... :hug:

I'm gonna need a bigger bottle, lol. Thank you Deb.

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Well, just to be safe I'm shoving them in both ends, lol.

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OMG I PMSL when I read that...no literally I did :rolleyes:
What a cack, me too!!
I think it may be a bit early for me just yet? Any suggestions as to when I should start?

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OMG I PMSL when I read that...no literally I did

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I PMSL when I read THAT. Oh the joys of pregnancy!!!! I think its safe from about 36 weeks, but you better wait until someone who knows replies.

LOL ok thanks :p

When would it be safe to start having acupuncture? Can you just go to a normal acupuncturist or do they need to be specialised in using it to try and bring on labour?

HEHE, I am laughing at you gals peeing yourselves.

Natalie, God knows how many jars I went through. Yup I was shoving them in both ends by the truck loads. Near the end probably close to 6 or 7 a day. Sometimes more. If your membranes rupture though remember to stop!!

Tegan, I would wait until you were 37 weeks or so and start the acupunture then. You could also try reflexology.

Trish,
At how many weeks should you start using the EPO to soften the cervix and should it be done every day up until your due date? Is this safe to use?

Also can you start drinking Raspberry Leaf time from 32 weeks is this too early.

Sorry Natalie for taking over I am curious as well and would like to have a natural birth this time and not a c-section.

Good Luck Natalie I hope it works for you.

Alot of people don't recommend you startingRLT until your 36 week or so, but it is actually fine to start it now for you. I was told that it was safe by my midwife and had no adverse reactions from it at all. I was dronking a few cups of it a day too.

I started the EPO at around 36 weeks, I used it every day up until I went into labour. If your waters break though do not use it. I ended up being 3 cms dilated before I was even in labour. My cervix was very soft and very favourable :D

Goodluck girls, I hope it works for you all.

Nat, how you doing?? Hope your feeling better today. Let that little person know that it's safe to come out now :)

Oh girls you are still at it!
I agree with Trish. Raspberry Leaf Tea is a wonderful tonic - I drink it throughout my pregnancies from about 20 weeks. Acupuncture is great - I am a personal fan - I don't believe you can start too early in that your acupuncturist will not stimulate labour but rather aid to balance your body and tonify ready for labour. During the last 2 weeks of pregnancy more stimulating points will be used.
The other thing I swear by and I have seen many many vbacs use it to good effect is caulliphium (not sure if I have spelt this correctly) it is a homeopathic remedy and it helps to tonify the uterus and help ready the cervix. I use it with all of my pregnancies and from about 34 weeks (from memory). You could see a homeopath for it. I also get a mix of arnica and chamommilla for after the birth to help with bruising and discomfort.

Good luck to you all - it's very exciting! :hug:

Oh yeah Deb. I had accupunture and reflexology done too. I also ended up taking some homepathic stuff. Not 100% sure of what it was though. LOL. My midwife organised it for me. I had to take some int he night and some in the morning over the space of a couple of days. It got things going for me. I started it on the Friday night and I had a show the next morning. Started having contractions on Monday and had Tehya on Tuesday morning.

Nat, I hope that because you haven't been in your busy having a bubba :)

LOL Trish - from what I remember you were doing EVERYTHING to try and get Tehya out ;) As long as it was after the pool arrived.....

Hehe, yup and that damn pool held out til the end just like Tehya.

On a good note though, whatever Nat was doing might've helped. Bub came today :)

Is Raspberry Leaf Tea better to take then Raspberry Leaf tablets. Do they do the same job. Is the tea nice to drink???

I think it doesnt really make a difference. I didn't think it tastes too bad.