When to start the madness?

kp90

So I've been reading and hearing about all the crazy things women do when it's time for baby to make their appearance. My question is: for STM's when (if at all) did you start trying some of these things in hopes of starting labor? FTM's do you plan to and when?

Of course I would never want to do anything too soon for fear of any harm to LO but just didn't know if doctors or anyone know a safe time to give these methods a try. I'm not talking super crazy either like castor oil by any means... but you know... sex, spicy foods, etc. Lol. I blame this post on my over anxious self. Just so excited to meet LO and counting the days! Wondering when and if you other mommas plan on any of this 'madness'.

js8812

I have a girlfriend who did acupuncture with both her pregnancies after her due date.  She swears by it.  I think it's hard to know if any method is causal or correlational, though!  She went med-free for both and they were both fairly fast deliveries.

kp90

I'm sure they are all just a coincidence! But I like to tell myself they may work. Even though I know I'll be one to go past my due date.

sparkledonuts

I ate eggplant Parmesan and also got a prenatal massage .. I think the prenatal massage helped start because I lost my mucus plug shortly after but I was still induced at 39 weeks so idk that anything really helps ! I don't think I have to do anything this time I know he will be out early haha 

Chappy_jr

The class I am teaching ends ON my due date so I am actually hoping baby stays in a little late so I can finish up the course and the grading and have a few days of not working!

Bltbear82

I only tried anything because pre-existing high blood pressure protocol dictates that I'm induced if I don't deliver by my due date, so I only tried to avoid induction since it was not negotiable. I ate Mexican for lunch and walked a few miles home on a Tuesday, contractions started that night, water broke within 24 hours, and DS was born early Thursday morning three days before my due date. 

mmemartinez

I was exhausted and ready at around 38 weeks. Started my mat leave early and the first day I chilled on an exercise ball, ate a spicy pineapple curry and had sex. My water broke the next day. It was likely coincidence but it did work. It was also a full moon lol

balamama

My dad's gf swears by acupuncture. She had two babies that were breech and credits her acupuncturist with flipping them both. I think if I don't deliver by my due date I'll make an appointment with this guy to "induce" labor. 

lionstigersbears

Sex, eggplant parm, exercise ball, walked, evening oil of primrose suppositories, chiropractic adjustments, massage, the works. I was just keeping busy and don't think it made any difference.

hellogoodbye2

For me and my first pregnancy the madness didn't start until around 37w. I was induced at almost 41w so there was a lot of madness lol. Although, I didn't do too much to try and induce labor besides walking a ton.....maybe that's why I was induced because I just didn't feel like doing all the extra stuff and I had in my mind that I was going to go late. 

gemini2005

I had high BP with my first pregnancy and had been hospitalized off and on around 37- 38 weeks. I was anxious and so tired of worrying at that point.   I tried bouncing on the exercise ball, walking, lots of sex (awkward but fun), bumpy car rides, spicy food, shellfish (not sure about that one but it was easy to try), and lots of other things.
 I even drank red raspberry leaf tea and took evening primrose oil (orally AND vaginally) but nothing worked.  My OB ended up inducing me at 39 weeks but I have to admit I had an incredibly easy time.  I dialated very quickly and had no trouble pushing so maybe all of those things helped?  I plan on eating dates this time, walking  and bouncing on the ball starting around 38-39 weeks.  I really don't think they help unless you are ready to go into labor on your own but I feel better knowing I'm doing SOMETHING!  

AdorkablePixie

I am going to eat dates. I've read that eating dates is supposed to help. I can't remember how many or when you're supposed to start though.
I saw something at the midwife's office, and I am sure they will talk to me about it soon enough, where they have us take primrose oil. What is primrose oil supposed to do? Maybe I should look that up.

lalala2004

I probably won't try anything intentional until after my due date. Depending on how badly I still want to see Captain America: Civil War (5 days after my due date) of course.

TheThornBird

lalala2004 said:

I probably won't try anything intentional until after my due date. Depending on how badly I still want to see Captain America: Civil War (5 days after my due date) of course.

I'm so excited for Civil War! My plan to induce is to go see it- because Murphy's Law means I'll probably go into labor during the movie

doozer1345

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12664211/can-we-get-this-over-with/p1

mumbolino

A friend of mine is only a few days over this "due date" and getting massive pressure from hospital about induction ( which often leads to more painful labour or this so called cascade of intervention). I am quite upset to see that and I think it's crazy.. Full term is anything up to 42 weeks. 
Anyhooow... There's a lot of natural things to try that won't do any harm. But somehow I just think they come when they are ready and that it's very  stressful to get so fixed on a set date. I wish all of you that are looking at starting their labour spontaneously that you don't get pressure from anyone ( without sound medical reason!) and that your bubs can come in their own time:-) 
Sorry for the rant. I just got very upset by seing my friend so pressured ! 
I've started eating my dates and drinking raspberry leaf tea, but that's it :-) 

Charissadeats

@lalala2004 Lol. We were so excited when we heard it's releasing before my due date by far!! We are going to miss the new X-Men though.... 

lalala2004

TheThornBird said:

lalala2004 said:

I probably won't try anything intentional until after my due date. Depending on how badly I still want to see Captain America: Civil War (5 days after my due date) of course.

I'm so excited for Civil War! My plan to induce is to go see it- because Murphy's Law means I'll probably go into labor during the movie

That's what I'd expect, too!

proudparent2b

lalala2004 said:

I probably won't try anything intentional until after my due date. Depending on how badly I still want to see Captain America: Civil War (5 days after my due date) of course.

I'm on the other side of it- it comes out five days before I'm due, so for DH's sake, baby better not be too early!

kitandcat

@lalala2004 Love your comment! I was so excited when I found out it came out a few weeks ahead of my dued ate! I'm due May 21st so should have plenty of time to see the movie but sitting in the same seat for 2 hours makes me cringe. Anything for Captain America though!! 

bigmomma14

My Deffo routine is rasberry leaf tea, sweet chilli noodles excercise ball, and quickly paced walk. Although once a few days before due date I took Castor oil, on recommendation from a friend who said it worked for her. She forgot to mention after affects...... Severe stomach cramps( like a tummy bug) and horrendous diarrhea..... Not to mention the feeling of gonna throw up due to the taste that coats your throat. So this one not advised, but always the one that works best is wen the midwife gives me a deep internal sweep..... Lol that Deffo gets the show started.

NewmomGA

walk up a lot of stairs

NewmomGA

also i've heard having sex helps!

avidkeo

I tried walking, sex and bouncing on a ball from due date. Nothing helped. Started induction at 41.1w and no progress what so ever, no dilation, effacement, show, braxton hicks, nothing. Ended with emergency C-sect because of bradicardia. While I dont actually think anything genuinely works, I'll probably try the same again, waiting till actually due. One note I do want to make, once you go overdue there is a very good reason Drs start to push for induction. The placenta is only designed to last about 40 weeks. Once you get to 41 your risk of stillbirth increases. Im glad we got DD out when we did because my placenta had started to breakdown and she wouldn't have had much longer. So while I advocate for waiting,and don't agree with induction right at 40 weeks, dont wait too long, and listen to the Drs, they do actually know what they are talking about!

emilyj77

I think I'll start trying a few things (nothing too crazy) 7 days before our due date up until our c-section date, which is three days past our due date. I'd really, really like a VBAC this time around, but don't want LO to come too early. I'm sure I'll be searching the internet high and low for ideas, but not until then.