Labor Kickstarters

Gators&BoSox

With everyone's due date fast approaching (or passing!!) this is sure to be a hot topic. Of course, a simple google search will give you lots of options but I figure we could use this to list any lesser known ideas and keep the board organized. Also, I thought it could be interesting/helpful if ladies who did try any natural labor inducers gave insight as to what they think worked/didn't work for them personally. And as always, questions are welcome

motherofdragons-2

For me with my second, the Mexican hot chocolate, taking two evening primrose capsules a day for about a month, and good old deep cleaning the cabinets worked like a charm. My water broke five hours after I drank two cups of the hot chocolate! I still am not sure if it was just coincidental since it all happened exactly on his due date, but I am sure the hot chocolate and EPO attributed to how quickly he came- I had two and a half hours between water breaking and delivery, with very few painful contractions before water breakage. When I arrived at the hospital I was 8cm and in so much pain I could not see. I can't in good conscience recommend anyone to try self induction because it made mine extremely painful, extremely fast, my sons heart rate dropped and he came out blue. He recovered as soon as he was delivered but it scared me away from self inducing for good!! But my experience will not be yours, of course, I just urge you to take caution! A few women in my birth club with DS used Castor Oil for weeks and got no result except for chapped asses and miserable days. My good friend ate pineapple for two weeks and organized her pantry and went into labor a week early! What works for you will probably not be what worked for someone else. I will say however the safest method of maybe helping things along would be regular sex, frequent walking, and eating pineapple. Those seem to have the least risk! 

Cbeanz

Anyone try using a breast pump? Is that safe? Is there any risk of messing up BF by starting milk supply too early?

There was someone on my first BMB who had started pumping actual milk at like 28 weeks and everyone freaked out bc it could induce labor. Labor isn't risky for me now but I don't want to screw up BF.

C25

Scalini's Eggplant Parmesan recipe worked for me with my first. My water broke at home within 48hours of eating it which is what they promise! May have been coincidence but I think it worked. 

nicklesb

My doula's list: 1) Sex (V-Position or Spooning), 2) Evening Primrose Oil (1500mg per day orally), 3) Red Raspberry Leaf Tea (3 cups/day), 4) Turtle walking (super slow to let baby drop) 35 mins at a time - 2 hrs max/day,  5) Red Vinaigrette Dressing (aka Balsamic), 6) Dates (eating kind), 7) Spleen 6 Massage done by partner (google for videos) - 10 mins daily. 

Gators&BoSox

@nicklesb i've never heard of a spleen massage but it certainly doesn't sound comfortable lol

nicklesb

@Gators&;BoSox It's done 4 inches above your ankle. It's an acupressure point. It's not relaxing but also not painful It's just tender there.

nicklesb

Also if you're in Los Angeles, my OB told me about this labor-inducing salad (in Studio City): http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/maternity-greens-caioti-pizza-cafes-labor-inducing-salad-2376676

kjd291

Not from personal experience, just research and now my personal opinion:
Things that will actually help Labor be more favorable  (not induce it) : RRL Tea, Dates, Exercise 

Things that will ripen/soften cervix (not induce labor): Sex (must involve semen), EPO (As I said somewhere before: I personally wont be using this method unless I need to be induced as I don't think the research shows using it to ripen the cervix ends up being helpful in labor: even though it WILL help it ripen) & FRESH pineapple!

Things that will induce labor ((but only IF your body is ready to be nudged into labor)) Membrain Sweep

My final conclusion: baby is gonna come when baby is gonna come ... BUT it sure feels really nice to try lots of different things instead of just sitting around twiddling your thumbs!!  

longliveregina

Cbeanz said:

Anyone try using a breast pump? Is that safe? Is there any risk of messing up BF by starting milk supply too early?

There was someone on my first BMB who had started pumping actual milk at like 28 weeks and everyone freaked out bc it could induce labor. Labor isn't risky for me now but I don't want to screw up BF.

Nipple stimulation is generally not recommended because it can cause crazy contractions. You don't have to pump. You just stimulate your nips. In fact, pumping might provide more stress than just a kid nursing. I think your body would continue to make colostrum until after baby's birth though. The change from colostrum to milk happens because of labor, not nursing. After all, plenty of women nurse their toddlers throughout pregnancy and then tandem nurse after. 

hippiemama-2

39 weeks today ... I may or may not have went to the store this morning to purchase the Mexican hot chocolate ingredients @silverbulletband in preparation for this weekend ... 

motherofdragons-2

@hippiemama it is so delicious with the cinnamon, but I'm scarred for life from how well it worked lol! Just take it easy and I hope your experience with it is better  Allow at least 4 hours between cups if you can or just do one big one a day if you must! 

Cbeanz

¿Can someone hook me up with this Mexican hot chocolate recipe por favor?

disneybaby84

I've heard it's really the boiled cinnamon sticks that cause the contractions, anyone know?

motherofdragons-2

@cbeanz grab a packet of Abuelitas hot chocolate mix, make as directions instruct and toss in two to three raw cinnamon sticks while boiling. Drink while its as hot as you can handle. @disneybaby84 I believe it is too. The chocolate probably just helps it go down easier and may contribute marginally. But I heard it had to be that specific brand of chocolate as well. Three other women in my birth club at that time had it work for them using that recipe but its still hard to tell if its just coincidence! 

Gators&BoSox

@disneybaby84 i don't know for sure but that's what i've heard. although throwing chocolate into the mix surely can't hurt right? 

Cbeanz

Thanks @silverbulletband. I'll pick some up after lunch with hubs (which, not coincidentally, is Mexican AGAIN!)

disneybaby84

someone want to talk to me about the spicy food theory. Do I need a particular nationality of food, a particular spice?

Gators&BoSox

@disneybaby84 I think spicy food might just irritate the bowel which can possibly trigger uterine contractions? That's the explanation I've been given 

Gators&BoSox

Basil and oregano are other spices that are supposed to get things going

KellyT22

I started eating dates last week...effacement increased 30% and dilation increased 1"= (at 70% and 2.5 to 3" now). Not sure if it really helped, but mentally I'm crediting the dates.

I've also resorted to chanting "get out, baby". Jury is still out on that one.

kjd291

Gators&BoSox said:

@disneybaby84 I think spicy food might just irritate the bowel which can possibly trigger uterine contractions? That's the explanation I've been given 

This ^^ Basically if you getting your bowel upset and making it contract then it *may* get your uterus to also start contracting because they are close together in your abdomen.
SO... basically eating anything that usually give you the shits hahaha. 

ShannonJ96

I haven't tried it personally, but I hear strawberry pie does the trick. Sounds silly to me, but my aunt's friend absolutely swears by it.

Lexxilou1986

@ShannonJ96 Strawberry pie sounds divine ! 

npaulie

@shannonj96 I'm going to use that as an excuse just to eat pie... hahaha

kjd291

Just did the deed to see if that might get things going sooner. Such a laughable romp  and immediately after DH asks---"so are you in labor now" HA. 
Feeling slightly crampy, we'll see if anything happens. 

Gators&BoSox

hahaha if it happens tonight you know your husband is going to be SO PROUD of himself!!

eta this:

pandalily

@Gators&;BoSox hahaha that would so be my husband if that happens for us!

Lexxilou1986

@kjd291 My hubby and I will be having lots of sexy time this weekend in hopes that baby wants to come on her own before Sunday! If not, then at least we are going out with style before no sex again for 6 weeks.

Also, I'm so excited that your baby girl could come any minute! I'm praying you can go naturally as well!

RunBooRun

Thanks to you ladies I'm now on the Dates & RRL tea bandwagon. Have already eaten my dates today. I had some tea last night before bed and it was really relaxing until the period like cramping began (lol). I'm going to make it a daily habit now.

ShannonJ96

@RunBooRun
Be careful with those dates. I love them and they're a regular part of my diet. However, if you overdo it with them, you'll regret it. Trust me when I say there's no stomach ache like the one you'll get from eating too many dates.

How does the red raspberry leaf tea taste? 

RunBooRun

ShannonJ96 said:

@RunBooRun
Be careful with those dates. I love them and they're a regular part of my diet. However, if you overdo it with them, you'll regret it. Trust me when I say there's no stomach ache like the one you'll get from eating too many dates.

How does the red raspberry leaf tea taste? 

It's not bad. It tastes like your standard black tea. I'm such a tea snob that I'll get bored with it soon, but its really not bad.

mcdonald-bailey

nicklesb said:

My doula's list: 1) Sex (V-Position or Spooning), 2) Evening Primrose Oil (1500mg per day orally), 3) Red Raspberry Leaf Tea (3 cups/day), 4) Turtle walking (super slow to let baby drop) 35 mins at a time - 2 hrs max/day,  5) Red Vinaigrette Dressing (aka Balsamic), 6) Dates (eating kind), 7) Spleen 6 Massage done by partner (google for videos) - 10 mins daily. 

I used 2, 3, 5, and spicy foods

longliveregina

Truth about the dates: dates, like prunes, have a lot of fiber!

pandalily

@longliveregina will be so helpful for the post birth poop!

longliveregina

You know, my first poop post birth was no big deal. Everyone acted like it would be awful, but I just....pooped like normal. I think maybe the nurse gave me a stool softener in the hospital, but I honestly can't remember. 

kjd291

Well, I just shoveled our giant back deck that was covered in a foot of snow and ice while DD played in the puddles. We'll see if that helps anything get started or just was helpful way to take up some of my afternoon. Clearly getting really bored waiting over here. Hah.

Gators&BoSox

haha @kjd291 my back hurts just thinking about that! i was going to walk DS to the store today but was afraid of what that would do the bowling ball between my legs

kjd291

Gators&BoSox said:

haha @kjd291 my back hurts just thinking about that! i was going to walk DS to the store today but was afraid of what that would do the bowling ball between my legs

Is it bad I'm jealous of your bowling ball?? Hahah. My girl STILL hasn't dropped! No lower pelvic pressure at all! I'm trying to trust my MW saying baby might not drop till IN labor... but it feels like I have a ways to go

longliveregina

@kjd291 Truth! Second babies often don't drop until you are already in labor. 

Gators&BoSox

@kjd291 i think I'm in the minority being a STM with a dropped baby. i'm sure she's just a sweetheart and saving you the trouble of waddling til the very end